diff --git a/doc/source/policies/bugs.rst b/doc/source/policies/bugs.rst
index 685e41e2b27..faafa6c8cb1 100644
--- a/doc/source/policies/bugs.rst
+++ b/doc/source/policies/bugs.rst
@@ -78,7 +78,9 @@ from screening these.
 
 Finally, the PTL will work with the deputy to produce a brief summary of the
 issues of the week to be shared with the larger team during the weekly IRC
-meeting and tracked in the meeting notes.
+meeting and tracked in the meeting notes. If for some reason the deputy is not
+going to attend the team meeting to report, the deputy should consider sending
+a brief report to the openstack-dev@ mailing list in advance of the meeting.
 
 
 Getting Ready to Serve as the Neutron Bug Deputy