diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 91cccb9833bcbd867de55246cf16987d07c79b99..1cabb3549ae18830f9630c733006bd13c2e9aea7 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -130,9 +130,11 @@ To find objects by location, use the following scopes:
 
 With geocoded objects you can do things like this:
 
-    obj.nearbys(30)                      # other objects within 30 miles
-    obj.distance_from([40.714,-100.234]) # distance from arbitrary point to object
-    obj.bearing_to("Paris, France")      # direction from object to arbitrary point
+    if obj.geocoded?
+      obj.nearbys(30)                      # other objects within 30 miles
+      obj.distance_from([40.714,-100.234]) # distance from arbitrary point to object
+      obj.bearing_to("Paris, France")      # direction from object to arbitrary point
+    end
 
 Some utility methods are also available:
 
diff --git a/lib/geocoder/stores/base.rb b/lib/geocoder/stores/base.rb
index 4502f371c8ffd7b1750d5b8163d76c6ff9ee6b7b..bccdf008f4d97810f64ca151b8da06067d04f013 100644
--- a/lib/geocoder/stores/base.rb
+++ b/lib/geocoder/stores/base.rb
@@ -58,6 +58,7 @@ module Geocoder
       ##
       # Get nearby geocoded objects.
       # Takes the same options hash as the near class method (scope).
+      # Returns nil if the object is not geocoded.
       #
       def nearbys(radius = 20, options = {})
         return nil unless geocoded?