diff --git a/doc/source/common-image-properties.rst b/doc/source/common-image-properties.rst
index e20733a0..2fdf99ee 100644
--- a/doc/source/common-image-properties.rst
+++ b/doc/source/common-image-properties.rst
@@ -35,7 +35,8 @@ http://docs.openstack.org/cli-reference/content/chapter_cli-glance-property.html
 **instance_uuid**
 -----------------
 
-The ID of the instance used to create this image.
+Metadata which can be used to record which instance this image is associated
+with. (Informational only, does not create an instance snapshot.)
 
 **kernel_id**
 -------------
diff --git a/etc/metadefs/glance-common-image-props.json b/etc/metadefs/glance-common-image-props.json
index 1311a7fd..636ff3a0 100644
--- a/etc/metadefs/glance-common-image-props.json
+++ b/etc/metadefs/glance-common-image-props.json
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
         "instance_uuid": {
             "title": "Instance ID",
             "type": "string",
-            "description": "ID of instance used to create this image."
+            "description": "Metadata which can be used to record which instance this image is associated with. (Informational only, does not create an instance snapshot.)"
         },
         "architecture": {
             "title": "CPU Architecture",
diff --git a/etc/schema-image.json b/etc/schema-image.json
index d9f433bd..69c2f85d 100644
--- a/etc/schema-image.json
+++ b/etc/schema-image.json
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
     },
     "instance_uuid": {
         "type": "string",
-        "description": "ID of instance used to create this image."
+        "description": "Metadata which can be used to record which instance this image is associated with. (Informational only, does not create an instance snapshot.)"
     },
     "architecture": {
         "description": "Operating system architecture as specified in http://docs.openstack.org/trunk/openstack-compute/admin/content/adding-images.html",