diff --git a/doc/lispref/eval.texi b/doc/lispref/eval.texi
index f6f36ed3427..46cfab164b7 100644
--- a/doc/lispref/eval.texi
+++ b/doc/lispref/eval.texi
@@ -558,6 +558,7 @@ and vectors.)
 
 @defspec quote object
 This special form returns @var{object}, without evaluating it.
+The returned value is a constant, and should not be modified.
 @end defspec
 
 @cindex @samp{'} for quoting
@@ -612,10 +613,12 @@ only part of a list, while computing and substituting other parts.
 
   @dfn{Backquote constructs} allow you to quote a list, but
 selectively evaluate elements of that list.  In the simplest case, it
-is identical to the special form @code{quote}
+is identical to the special form
 @iftex
+@code{quote}.
 @end iftex
 @ifnottex
+@code{quote}
 (described in the previous section; @pxref{Quoting}).
 @end ifnottex
 For example, these two forms yield identical results:
@@ -693,6 +696,9 @@ Here are some examples:
 @end group
 @end example
 
+If a subexpression of a backquote construct has no substitutions or
+splices, it acts like @code{quote} in that it yields a constant that
+should not be modified.
 
 @node Eval
 @section Eval