diff --git a/releasenotes/notes/api-database-now-required-6245f39d36885d1c.yaml b/releasenotes/notes/api-database-now-required-6245f39d36885d1c.yaml
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+---
+prelude: >
+    Nova now requires a separate API database and manual
+    intervention is required during an upgrade to Mitaka.
+upgrade:
+  - During an upgrade to Mitaka, operators must create and initialize
+    a database for the API service. Configure this in
+    [api_database]/connection, and then run `nova-manage api_db sync'