diff --git a/R/check.R b/R/check.R
index 3602b3899..06792afc8 100644
--- a/R/check.R
+++ b/R/check.R
@@ -50,6 +50,14 @@
 #' @param vignettes If `FALSE`, do not build or check vignettes, equivalent to
 #'   using `args = '--ignore-vignettes' and `build_args = '--no-build-vignettes'.
 #' @param cleanup `r lifecycle::badge("deprecated")` See `check_dir` for details.
+#' @param error_on Whether to throw an error on `R CMD check` failures.
+#'   Note that the check is always completed (unless a timeout happens),
+#'   and the error is only thrown after completion. If `"never"`, then
+#'   no errors are thrown. If `"error"`, then only `ERROR` failures
+#'   generate errors. If `"warning"`, then `WARNING` failures generate
+#'   errors as well. If `"note"`, then any check failure generated an
+#'   error. The default is `"never"` for interactive sessions and `"warning"`
+#'   for non-interactive session.
 #' @seealso [release()] if you want to send the checked package to
 #'   CRAN.
 #' @export
diff --git a/man/check.Rd b/man/check.Rd
index 51ec0aca3..e17273e36 100644
--- a/man/check.Rd
+++ b/man/check.Rd
@@ -100,8 +100,8 @@ and the error is only thrown after completion. If \code{"never"}, then
 no errors are thrown. If \code{"error"}, then only \code{ERROR} failures
 generate errors. If \code{"warning"}, then \code{WARNING} failures generate
 errors as well. If \code{"note"}, then any check failure generated an
-error. Its default can be modified with the \code{RCMDCHECK_ERROR_ON}
-environment variable. If that is not set, then \code{"never"} is used.}
+error. The default is \code{"never"} for interactive sessions and \code{"warning"}
+for non-interactive session.}
 
 \item{path}{Path to built package.}
 }