diff --git a/src/cargo/ops/cargo_test.rs b/src/cargo/ops/cargo_test.rs
index c3e4eec860f..873aae47dfc 100644
--- a/src/cargo/ops/cargo_test.rs
+++ b/src/cargo/ops/cargo_test.rs
@@ -178,6 +178,7 @@ fn run_doc_tests(
     let mut errors = Vec::new();
     let doctest_xcompile = gctx.cli_unstable().doctest_xcompile;
     let color = gctx.shell().color_choice();
+    let mut warned_once = false;
 
     for doctest_info in &compilation.to_doc_test {
         let Doctest {
@@ -194,6 +195,13 @@ fn run_doc_tests(
                 CompileKind::Host => {}
                 CompileKind::Target(target) => {
                     if target.short_name() != compilation.host {
+                        if !warned_once {
+                            gctx.shell().concise(|shell| {
+                                shell.warn("skipping cross-compilation doctest(s), use --verbose to see the full list in detail.".to_string())
+                            })?;
+                            warned_once = true;
+                        }
+
                         // Skip doctests, -Zdoctest-xcompile not enabled.
                         gctx.shell().verbose(|shell| {
                             shell.note(format!(
diff --git a/tests/testsuite/cross_compile.rs b/tests/testsuite/cross_compile.rs
index 185c480abb5..53e7e2e033f 100644
--- a/tests/testsuite/cross_compile.rs
+++ b/tests/testsuite/cross_compile.rs
@@ -469,6 +469,7 @@ fn cross_tests() {
 [FINISHED] `test` profile [unoptimized + debuginfo] target(s) in [ELAPSED]s
 [RUNNING] unittests src/lib.rs (target/[ALT_TARGET]/debug/deps/foo-[HASH][EXE])
 [RUNNING] unittests src/bin/bar.rs (target/[ALT_TARGET]/debug/deps/bar-[HASH][EXE])
+[WARNING] skipping cross-compilation doctest(s), use --verbose to see the full list in detail.
 
 "#]])
         .with_stdout_data(str![[r#"