diff --git a/etc/NEWS b/etc/NEWS
index 0ac0ee9f843..571253f33fc 100644
--- a/etc/NEWS
+++ b/etc/NEWS
@@ -2418,6 +2418,9 @@ you are in buffers generated by 'C-x v =' and 'C-x v D'.
 When the region is active, the command reverse-applies and kills hunks
 that the region overlaps.
 
+---
+*** 'v' is now bound to 'vc-next-action' in read-only Diff mode buffers.
+
 ---
 *** 'diff-file-prev' and 'diff-hunk-prev' always move to start of header.
 Previously, 'diff-file-prev' and 'diff-hunk-prev' would move when point
diff --git a/lisp/vc/diff-mode.el b/lisp/vc/diff-mode.el
index 8a432a7f618..5d6f478d3e8 100644
--- a/lisp/vc/diff-mode.el
+++ b/lisp/vc/diff-mode.el
@@ -241,10 +241,11 @@ buffers."
 
   ;; The foregoing commands in `diff-mode-shared-map' and
   ;; `diff-mode-read-only-map' don't affect buffers beyond this one.
-  ;; The following command is the only one that has a single-character
-  ;; binding and which affects buffers beyond this one.  However, the
-  ;; following command asks for confirmation by default, so that seems
-  ;; okay.  --spwhitton
+  ;; The following commands are the only ones that have a
+  ;; single-character binding and which affect something beyond the
+  ;; current buffer.  However, the following commands ask for
+  ;; confirmation by default, so that seems okay.  --spwhitton
+  "v" #'vc-next-action
   "u" #'diff-revert-and-kill-hunk
   ;; `diff-revert-and-kill-hunk' is the `diff-mode' analogue of what '@'
   ;; does in VC-Dir, so give it the same short binding.