diff --git a/doc_src/while.txt b/doc_src/while.txt
index d8bd012e4..38338792f 100644
--- a/doc_src/while.txt
+++ b/doc_src/while.txt
@@ -9,7 +9,10 @@ while CONDITION; COMMANDS...; end
 
 `while` repeatedly executes `CONDITION`, and if the exit status is 0, then executes `COMMANDS`.
 
-If the exit status of `CONDITION` is non-zero on the first iteration, `COMMANDS` will not be executed at all.
+If the exit status of `CONDITION` is non-zero on the first iteration, `COMMANDS` will not be
+executed at all, and the exit status of the loop set to the exit status of `CONDITION`.
+
+The exit status of the loop is 0 otherwise.
 
 You can use <a href="#and">`and`</a> or <a href="#or">`or`</a> for complex conditions. Even more complex control can be achieved with `while true` containing a <a href="#break">break</a>.