diff --git a/lib/util.php b/lib/util.php
index 04eb2094ec..5639f791da 100644
--- a/lib/util.php
+++ b/lib/util.php
@@ -794,6 +794,8 @@ function common_notice_form($action=NULL, $content=NULL) {
 								  'name' => 'status_submit',
 								  'type' => 'submit',
 								  'value' => _t('Send')));
+	common_element('span', 'input_instructions',
+	               _t('Your current status, max 140 characters'));
 	common_element_end('p');
 	common_element_end('form');
 }