diff --git a/doc/source/cli/nova-status.rst b/doc/source/cli/nova-status.rst
index f60db499cf59..6ca9bb2a425f 100644
--- a/doc/source/cli/nova-status.rst
+++ b/doc/source/cli/nova-status.rst
@@ -52,6 +52,8 @@ These sections describe the available categories and arguments for
 Upgrade
 ~~~~~~~
 
+.. _nova-status-checks:
+
 ``nova-status upgrade check``
   Performs a release-specific readiness check before restarting services with
   new code. This command expects to have complete configuration and access
diff --git a/doc/source/user/upgrade.rst b/doc/source/user/upgrade.rst
index 5a98a801f686..4cb77c9b7ec5 100644
--- a/doc/source/user/upgrade.rst
+++ b/doc/source/user/upgrade.rst
@@ -89,6 +89,11 @@ same time.
    * For maximum safety (no failed API operations), gracefully shutdown all
      the services (i.e. SIG_TERM) except nova-compute.
 
+   * Before restarting services with new code, perform the release-specific
+     readiness check with ``nova-status upgrade check``. See the
+     :ref:`nova-status upgrade check <nova-status-checks>` for more details
+     on status check.
+
    * Start all services on the new code, with
      ``[upgrade_levels]compute=auto`` in nova.conf.  It is safest to
      start nova-conductor first and nova-api last. Note that you may