diff --git a/src/protocol.h b/src/protocol.h
index cdb76b9038..d19e0d3a5e 100644
--- a/src/protocol.h
+++ b/src/protocol.h
@@ -312,20 +312,24 @@ public:
     unsigned int nTime;
 };
 
-/** getdata message types */
+/** getdata message type flags */
 const uint32_t MSG_WITNESS_FLAG = 1 << 30;
 const uint32_t MSG_TYPE_MASK    = 0xffffffff >> 2;
+
+/** getdata / inv message types.
+ * These numbers are defined by the protocol. When adding a new value, be sure
+ * to mention it in the respective BIP.
+ */
 enum GetDataMsg
 {
     UNDEFINED = 0,
-    MSG_TX,
-    MSG_BLOCK,
-    MSG_TYPE_MAX = MSG_BLOCK,
+    MSG_TX = 1,
+    MSG_BLOCK = 2,
     // The following can only occur in getdata. Invs always use TX or BLOCK.
-    MSG_FILTERED_BLOCK,
-    MSG_CMPCT_BLOCK,
-    MSG_WITNESS_BLOCK = MSG_BLOCK | MSG_WITNESS_FLAG,
-    MSG_WITNESS_TX = MSG_TX | MSG_WITNESS_FLAG,
+    MSG_FILTERED_BLOCK = 3,  //!< Defined in BIP37
+    MSG_CMPCT_BLOCK = 4,     //!< Defined in BIP152
+    MSG_WITNESS_BLOCK = MSG_BLOCK | MSG_WITNESS_FLAG, //!< Defined in BIP144
+    MSG_WITNESS_TX = MSG_TX | MSG_WITNESS_FLAG,       //!< Defined in BIP144
     MSG_FILTERED_WITNESS_BLOCK = MSG_FILTERED_BLOCK | MSG_WITNESS_FLAG,
 };