diff --git a/beets/library.py b/beets/library.py
index c8fa2b5fc2..7f66693666 100644
--- a/beets/library.py
+++ b/beets/library.py
@@ -1145,6 +1145,9 @@ def _getters(cls):
     def items(self):
         """Return an iterable over the items associated with this
         album.
+
+        This method predates the :meth:`LibModel.items` method inherited
+        from :meth:`beets.dbcore.Model.items`.
         """
         return self._db.items(dbcore.MatchQuery('album_id', self.id))
 
diff --git a/docs/dev/library.rst b/docs/dev/library.rst
index 071b780f3a..9740c8b902 100644
--- a/docs/dev/library.rst
+++ b/docs/dev/library.rst
@@ -99,6 +99,10 @@ synchronized (via load or store) with the database.
 
     .. automethod:: items
 
+    .. note::
+       The :py:meth:`Album.items` method is not inherited from
+       :py:meth:`LibModel.items` for historical reasons.
+
     .. automethod:: get
 
 Item
@@ -207,6 +211,8 @@ metadata field.
 
     .. automethod:: item_dir
 
+    .. automethod:: items
+
     Albums extend the normal model interface to also forward changes to their
     items: