diff --git a/denote.el b/denote.el
index 80537f9..d07266a 100644
--- a/denote.el
+++ b/denote.el
@@ -4262,7 +4262,7 @@ Respect `denote-rename-confirmations', `denote-save-buffers' and
          (identifier (cond ((string-empty-p identifier) identifier)
                            ((string= old-identifier identifier) identifier)
                            ((and (not (string-empty-p old-identifier)) (denote--file-has-backlinks-p file))
-                            (user-error "The identifier cannot be modified because the new identifier has backlinks"))
+                            (user-error "The identifier cannot be modified: that will break existing links"))
                            (t (funcall denote-get-identifier-function identifier nil))))
          (new-name (denote-format-file-name directory identifier keywords title extension signature))
          (max-mini-window-height denote-rename-max-mini-window-height))
@@ -4516,6 +4516,9 @@ minibuffer prompt with the existing identifier.  The user can then modify
 it accordingly.  An empty input means to remove the identifier
 altogether.
 
+An identifier that is already used in links cannot be modified,
+otherwise all links will break.
+
 Please check the documentation of `denote-rename-file' with regard to
 how a completion User Interface may accept an empty input."
   (declare (interactive-only t))