diff --git a/packages/flutter/lib/src/foundation/change_notifier.dart b/packages/flutter/lib/src/foundation/change_notifier.dart
index 4c906f1f51d..47de62c0282 100644
--- a/packages/flutter/lib/src/foundation/change_notifier.dart
+++ b/packages/flutter/lib/src/foundation/change_notifier.dart
@@ -248,14 +248,18 @@ class _MergingListenable extends Listenable {
 
 /// A [ChangeNotifier] that holds a single value.
 ///
-/// When [value] is replaced, this class notifies its listeners.
+/// When [value] is replaced with something that is not equal to the old
+/// value as evaluated by the equality operator ==, this class notifies its
+/// listeners.
 class ValueNotifier<T> extends ChangeNotifier implements ValueListenable<T> {
   /// Creates a [ChangeNotifier] that wraps this value.
   ValueNotifier(this._value);
 
   /// The current value stored in this notifier.
   ///
-  /// When the value is replaced, this class notifies its listeners.
+  /// When the value is replaced with something that is not equal to the old
+  /// value as evaluated by the equality operator ==, this class notifies its
+  /// listeners.
   @override
   T get value => _value;
   T _value;