diff --git a/docs/usage/configuration.md b/docs/usage/configuration.md
index 4004f32c..0c67e698 100644
--- a/docs/usage/configuration.md
+++ b/docs/usage/configuration.md
@@ -143,6 +143,8 @@ CLI argument: `--debug`
 
 Output debugging information. This can also be enabled by setting the `DEBUG` environment variable to `semantic-release:*`.
 
+**Note**: The `debug` is used only supported via CLI argument. To enable debug mode from the [JS API](../developer-guide/js-api.md#javascript-api) use `require('debug').enable('semantic-release:*')`.
+
 ## Git environment variables
 
 | Variable              | Description                                                                                                                                                                                                                    | Default                              |