diff --git a/docs/spec/api.md b/docs/spec/api.md
index 15eba43bf..9de340466 100644
--- a/docs/spec/api.md
+++ b/docs/spec/api.md
@@ -717,7 +717,7 @@ A list of methods and URIs are covered in the table below:
 | GET | `/v2/<name>/tags/list` | Tags | Fetch the tags under the repository identified by `name`. |
 | GET | `/v2/<name>/manifests/<reference>` | Manifest | Fetch the manifest identified by `name` and `reference` where `reference` can be a tag or digest. |
 | PUT | `/v2/<name>/manifests/<reference>` | Manifest | Put the manifest identified by `name` and `reference` where `reference` can be a tag or digest. |
-| DELETE | `/v2/<name>/manifests/<reference>` | Manifest | Delete the manifest identified by `name` and `reference` where `reference` can be a tag or digest. |
+| DELETE | `/v2/<name>/manifests/<reference>` | Manifest | Delete the manifest identified by `name` and `reference`. Note that a manifest can _only_ be deleted by `digest`. |
 | GET | `/v2/<name>/blobs/<digest>` | Blob | Retrieve the blob from the registry identified by `digest`. A `HEAD` request can also be issued to this endpoint to obtain resource information without receiving all data. |
 | POST | `/v2/<name>/blobs/uploads/` | Intiate Blob Upload | Initiate a resumable blob upload. If successful, an upload location will be provided to complete the upload. Optionally, if the `digest` parameter is present, the request body will be used to complete the upload in a single request. |
 | GET | `/v2/<name>/blobs/uploads/<uuid>` | Blob Upload | Retrieve status of upload identified by `uuid`. The primary purpose of this endpoint is to resolve the current status of a resumable upload. |
@@ -1324,7 +1324,7 @@ The error codes that may be included in the response body are enumerated below:
 
 #### DELETE Manifest
 
-Delete the manifest identified by `name` and `reference` where `reference` can be a tag or digest.
+Delete the manifest identified by `name` and `reference`. Note that a manifest can _only_ be deleted by `digest`.
 
 
 
@@ -1361,7 +1361,7 @@ The following parameters should be specified on the request:
 
 
 
-###### On Failure: Invalid Name or Tag
+###### On Failure: Invalid Name or Reference
 
 ```
 400 Bad Request
@@ -1379,7 +1379,7 @@ Content-Type: application/json; charset=utf-8
 }
 ```
 
-The specified `name` or `tag` were invalid and the delete was unable to proceed.
+The specified `name` or `reference` were invalid and the delete was unable to proceed.
 
 
 
@@ -1449,7 +1449,7 @@ Content-Type: application/json; charset=utf-8
 }
 ```
 
-The specified `name` or `tag` are unknown to the registry and the delete was unable to proceed. Clients can assume the manifest was already deleted if this response is returned.
+The specified `name` or `reference` are unknown to the registry and the delete was unable to proceed. Clients can assume the manifest was already deleted if this response is returned.
 
 
 
diff --git a/registry/api/v2/descriptors.go b/registry/api/v2/descriptors.go
index e08c1324c..7020fed9f 100644
--- a/registry/api/v2/descriptors.go
+++ b/registry/api/v2/descriptors.go
@@ -639,7 +639,7 @@ var routeDescriptors = []RouteDescriptor{
 			},
 			{
 				Method:      "DELETE",
-				Description: "Delete the manifest identified by `name` and `reference` where `reference` can be a tag or digest.",
+				Description: "Delete the manifest identified by `name` and `reference`. Note that a manifest can _only_ be deleted by `digest`.",
 				Requests: []RequestDescriptor{
 					{
 						Headers: []ParameterDescriptor{
@@ -657,8 +657,8 @@ var routeDescriptors = []RouteDescriptor{
 						},
 						Failures: []ResponseDescriptor{
 							{
-								Name:        "Invalid Name or Tag",
-								Description: "The specified `name` or `tag` were invalid and the delete was unable to proceed.",
+								Name:        "Invalid Name or Reference",
+								Description: "The specified `name` or `reference` were invalid and the delete was unable to proceed.",
 								StatusCode:  http.StatusBadRequest,
 								ErrorCodes: []ErrorCode{
 									ErrorCodeNameInvalid,
@@ -690,7 +690,7 @@ var routeDescriptors = []RouteDescriptor{
 							},
 							{
 								Name:        "Unknown Manifest",
-								Description: "The specified `name` or `tag` are unknown to the registry and the delete was unable to proceed. Clients can assume the manifest was already deleted if this response is returned.",
+								Description: "The specified `name` or `reference` are unknown to the registry and the delete was unable to proceed. Clients can assume the manifest was already deleted if this response is returned.",
 								StatusCode:  http.StatusNotFound,
 								ErrorCodes: []ErrorCode{
 									ErrorCodeNameUnknown,