diff --git a/.topmsg b/.topmsg
index f3ece37ae7..f43491a9cd 100644
--- a/.topmsg
+++ b/.topmsg
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 From: Brian Behlendorf <behlendorf1@llnl.gov>
 Subject: [PATCH] top
 
-<patch description>
+Top most branch, simply used as an well known reference.
+
+DO NOT COMMIT ANY CHANGES TO THIS BRANCH
 
 Signed-off-by: Brian Behlendorf <behlendorf1@llnl.gov>