diff --git a/include/libcamera/framebuffer.h b/include/libcamera/framebuffer.h
index ff83924300ac..e83825b466aa 100644
--- a/include/libcamera/framebuffer.h
+++ b/include/libcamera/framebuffer.h
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ struct FrameMetadata {
 		FrameSuccess,
 		FrameError,
 		FrameCancelled,
+		FrameStartup,
 	};
 
 	struct Plane {
diff --git a/src/libcamera/framebuffer.cpp b/src/libcamera/framebuffer.cpp
index 826848f75a56..93be497be052 100644
--- a/src/libcamera/framebuffer.cpp
+++ b/src/libcamera/framebuffer.cpp
@@ -43,12 +43,19 @@ LOG_DEFINE_CATEGORY(Buffer)
  * The frame has been captured with success and contains valid data. All fields
  * of the FrameMetadata structure are valid.
  * \var FrameMetadata::FrameError
- * An error occurred during capture of the frame. The frame data may be partly
- * or fully invalid. The sequence and timestamp fields of the FrameMetadata
- * structure is valid, the other fields may be invalid.
+ * The frame data is partly or fully corrupted, missing or otherwise invalid.
+ * This can for instance indicate a hardware transmission error, or invalid data
+ * produced by the sensor during its startup phase. The sequence and timestamp
+ * fields of the FrameMetadata structure is valid, all the other fields may be
+ * invalid.
  * \var FrameMetadata::FrameCancelled
  * Capture stopped before the frame completed. The frame data is not valid. All
  * fields of the FrameMetadata structure but the status field are invalid.
+ * \var FrameMetadata::FrameStartup The frame has been successfully captured.
+ * However, the IPA is in a cold-start or reset phase and will result in image
+ * quality parameters producing unusable images. Applications are recommended to
+ * not consume these frames. All other fields of the FrameMetadata structure are
+ * valid.
  */
 
 /**