diff --git a/src/java/org/apache/poi/ss/util/AreaReference.java b/src/java/org/apache/poi/ss/util/AreaReference.java
index 6d2e4530b..70c008f0d 100644
--- a/src/java/org/apache/poi/ss/util/AreaReference.java
+++ b/src/java/org/apache/poi/ss/util/AreaReference.java
@@ -39,11 +39,12 @@ public class AreaReference {
     private final SpreadsheetVersion _version; // never null
 
     /**
-     * @deprecated Prefer supplying a version.
+     * @deprecated POI 3.13 beta 1. Prefer supplying a version.
      */
     @Deprecated
     public AreaReference(String reference) {
         this(reference, DEFAULT_SPREADSHEET_VERSION);
+        // generateContiguous must be updated before this can be deleted.
     }
     
     /**