diff --git a/Doc/c-api/module.rst b/Doc/c-api/module.rst
index 68cbda2..feca1ec 100644
--- a/Doc/c-api/module.rst
+++ b/Doc/c-api/module.rst
@@ -417,7 +417,22 @@
 
    Add an object to *module* as *name*.  This is a convenience function which can
    be used from the module's initialization function.  This steals a reference to
-   *value*.  Return ``-1`` on error, ``0`` on success.
+   *value* on success.  Return ``-1`` on error, ``0`` on success.
+
+   .. note::
+
+      Unlike other functions that steal references, ``PyModule_AddObject()`` only
+      decrements the reference count of *value* **on success**.
+
+      This means that its return value must be checked, and calling code must
+      :c:func:`Py_DECREF` *value* manually on error. Example usage::
+
+         Py_INCREF(spam);
+         if (PyModule_AddObject(module, "spam", spam) < 0) {
+             Py_DECREF(module);
+             Py_DECREF(spam);
+             return NULL;
+         }
 
 .. c:function:: int PyModule_AddIntConstant(PyObject *module, const char *name, long value)