diff --git a/.github/actions/spelling/expect.txt b/.github/actions/spelling/expect.txt
index cfd7faf83269d..a21bb9d750a9a 100644
--- a/.github/actions/spelling/expect.txt
+++ b/.github/actions/spelling/expect.txt
@@ -1014,6 +1014,7 @@ rawconfig
 rawstring
 rbaz
 rdkafka
+rdparty
 rdr
 readnone
 rebuffer
diff --git a/docs/CONTRIBUTING.md b/docs/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 8018134b69bca..cebda9652551b 100644
--- a/docs/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/docs/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ Vector team member will find this document useful.
     - [Flakey tests](#flakey-tests)
       - [Test harness](#test-harness)
   - [Deprecations](#deprecations)
+  - [Dependencies](#dependencies)
 - [Next steps](#next-steps)
 - [Legal](#legal)
   - [Contributor License Agreement](#contributor-license-agreement)
@@ -184,6 +185,13 @@ any pull request with:
 
 When deprecating functionality in Vector, see [DEPRECATION.md](DEPRECATION.md).
 
+### Dependencies
+
+When adding, modifying, or removing a dependency in Vector you may find that you need to update the
+inventory of third-party licenses maintained in `LICENSE-3rdparty.csv`. This file is generated using
+[rust-license-tool](https://github.com/DataDog/rust-license-tool.git) and can be updated using
+`cargo vdev build licenses`.
+
 ## Next steps
 
 As discussed in the [`README`](README.md), you should continue to the following
diff --git a/vdev/src/commands/check/licenses.rs b/vdev/src/commands/check/licenses.rs
index d9f13fb09db48..9a483a2383422 100644
--- a/vdev/src/commands/check/licenses.rs
+++ b/vdev/src/commands/check/licenses.rs
@@ -9,6 +9,9 @@ pub struct Cli {}
 
 impl Cli {
     pub fn exec(self) -> Result<()> {
-        app::exec("rust-license-tool", ["check"], true)
+        app::exec("rust-license-tool", ["check"], true).map_err(|err| {
+            info!("Run `cargo vdev build licenses` to regenerate the file");
+            err
+        })
     }
 }