diff --git a/docs/system/deprecated.rst b/docs/system/deprecated.rst
index fcf0ca4068..cfabe69846 100644
--- a/docs/system/deprecated.rst
+++ b/docs/system/deprecated.rst
@@ -134,6 +134,12 @@ Boolean options such as ``share=on``/``share=off`` could be written
 in short form as ``share`` and ``noshare``.  This is now deprecated
 and will cause a warning.
 
+``delay`` option for socket character devices (since 6.0)
+'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
+
+The replacement for the ``nodelay`` short-form boolean option is ``nodelay=on``
+rather than ``delay=off``.
+
 ``--enable-fips`` (since 6.0)
 '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
 
diff --git a/util/qemu-option.c b/util/qemu-option.c
index 40564a12eb..9678d5b682 100644
--- a/util/qemu-option.c
+++ b/util/qemu-option.c
@@ -785,7 +785,11 @@ static const char *get_opt_name_value(const char *params,
             }
             if (!is_help && warn_on_flag) {
                 warn_report("short-form boolean option '%s%s' deprecated", prefix, *name);
-                error_printf("Please use %s=%s instead\n", *name, *value);
+                if (g_str_equal(*name, "delay")) {
+                    error_printf("Please use nodelay=%s instead\n", prefix[0] ? "on" : "off");
+                } else {
+                    error_printf("Please use %s=%s instead\n", *name, *value);
+                }
             }
         }
     } else {