diff --git a/lib/server.js b/lib/server.js
index 1baa636f7..6054237a1 100644
--- a/lib/server.js
+++ b/lib/server.js
@@ -159,7 +159,9 @@ function mergeFormatters(fmt) {
 /**
  * attaches ifError function attached to the `next` function in handler chain.
  * uses a closure to maintain ref to next.
+ *
  * @private
+ * @deprecated since 5.x
  * @function ifError
  * @param    {Function} n the next function
  * @returns  {Function}