diff --git a/doc/nvim-tree-lua.txt b/doc/nvim-tree-lua.txt
index 6576bb5748d..bda7d45d10e 100644
--- a/doc/nvim-tree-lua.txt
+++ b/doc/nvim-tree-lua.txt
@@ -427,21 +427,25 @@ Hijack netrw windows (overridden if |disable_netrw| is `true`)
   Type: `boolean`, Default: `true`
 
 *nvim-tree.open_on_setup*
+Deprecated: please see https://github.com/nvim-tree/nvim-tree.lua/wiki/Open-At-Startup
 Will automatically open the tree when running setup if startup buffer is
 a directory, is empty or is unnamed. nvim-tree window will be focused.
   Type: `boolean`, Default: `false`
 
 *nvim-tree.open_on_setup_file*
+Deprecated: please see https://github.com/nvim-tree/nvim-tree.lua/wiki/Open-At-Startup
 Will automatically open the tree when running setup if startup buffer is a file.
 File window will be focused.
 File will be found if update_focused_file is enabled.
   Type: `boolean`, Default: `false`
 
 *nvim-tree.ignore_buffer_on_setup*
+Deprecated: please see https://github.com/nvim-tree/nvim-tree.lua/wiki/Open-At-Startup
 Will ignore the buffer, when deciding to open the tree on setup.
   Type: `boolean`, Default: `false`
 
 *nvim-tree.ignore_ft_on_setup*
+Deprecated: please see https://github.com/nvim-tree/nvim-tree.lua/wiki/Open-At-Startup
 List of filetypes that will prevent `open_on_setup` to open.
 You can use this option if you don't want the tree to open
 in some scenarios (eg using vim startify).
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree.lua b/lua/nvim-tree.lua
index 12ccef4da99..9a6e820ae68 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree.lua
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ local collapse_all = require "nvim-tree.actions.tree-modifiers.collapse-all"
 local git = require "nvim-tree.git"
 local filters = require "nvim-tree.explorer.filters"
 local modified = require "nvim-tree.modified"
+local notify = require "nvim-tree.notify"
 
 local _config = {}
 
@@ -900,7 +901,17 @@ function M.setup(conf)
   M.setup_called = true
 
   vim.schedule(function()
-    M.on_enter(netrw_disabled)
+    if
+      #opts.ignore_ft_on_setup > 0
+      or opts.open_on_setup == true
+      or opts.open_on_setup_file
+      or opts.ignore_buffer_on_setup
+    then
+      notify.info "open_on_setup behaviour has been deprecated, please see https://github.com/nvim-tree/nvim-tree.lua/wiki/Open-At-Startup"
+      M.on_enter(netrw_disabled)
+    else
+      M.initialized = true
+    end
     vim.g.NvimTreeSetup = 1
     vim.api.nvim_exec_autocmds("User", { pattern = "NvimTreeSetup" })
   end)