diff --git a/openmc/data/decay.py b/openmc/data/decay.py
index 6672add3b8..d7ededf33d 100644
--- a/openmc/data/decay.py
+++ b/openmc/data/decay.py
@@ -596,7 +596,8 @@ def decay_photon_energy(nuclide: str) -> Univariate:
     Returns
     -------
     openmc.stats.Univariate
-        Distribution of energies in [eV] of photons emitted from decay
+        Distribution of energies in [eV] of photons emitted from decay. Note
+        that the probabilities represent intensities, given as [decay/sec].
     """
     if not _DECAY_PHOTON_ENERGY:
         chain_file = openmc.config.get('chain_file')
diff --git a/openmc/material.py b/openmc/material.py
index 52978dbbea..16b5a3048a 100644
--- a/openmc/material.py
+++ b/openmc/material.py
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ class Material(IDManagerMixin):
     decay_photon_energy : openmc.stats.Univariate
         Energy distribution of photons emitted from decay of unstable nuclides
         within the material. The integral of this distribution is the total
-        intensity of the photon source.
+        intensity of the photon source in [decay/sec].
 
         .. versionadded:: 0.14.0