diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/distutils-deprecation.yml b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/distutils-deprecation.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..7ac1f8bbb9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/distutils-deprecation.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,103 @@
+---
+name: 📇 Distutils Deprecation Report
+description: >-
+  Report a use-case affected by the deprecation of distutils
+labels:
+- distutils deprecation
+- Needs Triage
+projects:
+- pypa/6
+body:
+- type: markdown
+  attributes:
+    value: >
+      So you've encountered an issue with the deprecation of distutils.
+
+      First, sorry for the inconvenience while we work to untangle the
+      legacy which is setuptools/distutils. Our goal is to ensure that
+      the vast majority of use cases are satisfied prior to removing
+      the legacy support.
+
+      Please check the
+      [existing reports](https://github.com/pypa/setuptools/issues?q=label%3A%22distutils+deprecation%22+)
+      to see if the affecting condition has been reported previously.
+
+- type: markdown
+  attributes:
+    value: >-
+      **Environment**
+- type: input
+  attributes:
+    label: setuptools version
+    placeholder: For example, setuptools==69.1.0
+    description: >-
+      Please also test with the **latest version** of `setuptools`.
+
+      Typically, this involves modifying `requires` in `[build-system]` of
+      [`pyproject.toml`](https://setuptools.pypa.io/en/latest/userguide/quickstart.html#basic-use),
+      not just updating `setuptools` using `pip`.
+  validations:
+    required: true
+- type: input
+  attributes:
+    label: Python version
+    placeholder: For example, Python 3.10
+    description: >-
+      Please ensure you are using a [supported version of Python](https://devguide.python.org/versions/#supported-versions).
+
+      Setuptools does not support versions that have reached [`end-of-life`](https://devguide.python.org/versions/#unsupported-versions).
+
+      Support for versions of Python under development (i.e. without a stable release) is experimental.
+  validations:
+    required: true
+- type: input
+  attributes:
+    label: OS
+    placeholder: For example, Gentoo Linux, RHEL 8, Arch Linux, macOS etc.
+  validations:
+    required: true
+- type: textarea
+  attributes:
+    label: Additional environment information
+    description: >-
+      Feel free to add more information about your environment here.
+    placeholder: >-
+      This is only happening when I run setuptools on my fridge's patched firmware 🤯
+
+- type: textarea
+  attributes:
+    label: Description
+    description: >-
+      A clear and concise description of the circumstances leading to the warning.
+  validations:
+    required: true
+
+- type: textarea
+  attributes:
+    label: How to Reproduce
+    description: >-
+      Describe the steps to reproduce the warning.
+
+      Please try to create a [minimal reproducer](https://stackoverflow.com/help/minimal-reproducible-example),
+      and avoid things like "see the steps in the CI logs".
+    placeholder: |
+      1. Clone a simplified example: `git clone ...`
+      2. Create a virtual environment for isolation with `...`
+      2. Build the project with setuptools via '...'
+      2. Then run '...'
+      3. An error occurs.
+  validations:
+    required: true
+
+- type: textarea
+  attributes:
+    label: Other detail
+    description: >-
+      Paste the output of the steps above, including the commands
+      themselves and setuptools' output/traceback etc.
+    value: |
+      ```console
+
+      ```
+
+...
diff --git a/_distutils_hack/__init__.py b/_distutils_hack/__init__.py
index 4d3f09b0ae..35ab5cad49 100644
--- a/_distutils_hack/__init__.py
+++ b/_distutils_hack/__init__.py
@@ -3,6 +3,12 @@
 import os
 
 
+report_url = (
+    "https://github.com/pypa/setuptools/issues/new?"
+    "template=distutils-deprecation.yml"
+)
+
+
 def warn_distutils_present():
     if 'distutils' not in sys.modules:
         return
@@ -23,7 +29,12 @@ def clear_distutils():
         return
     import warnings
 
-    warnings.warn("Setuptools is replacing distutils.")
+    warnings.warn(
+        "Setuptools is replacing distutils. Support for replacing "
+        "an already imported distutils is deprecated. In the future, "
+        "this condition will fail. "
+        f"Register concerns at {report_url}"
+    )
     mods = [
         name
         for name in sys.modules
@@ -38,6 +49,16 @@ def enabled():
     Allow selection of distutils by environment variable.
     """
     which = os.environ.get('SETUPTOOLS_USE_DISTUTILS', 'local')
+    if which == 'stdlib':
+        import warnings
+
+        warnings.warn(
+            "Reliance on distutils from stdlib is deprecated. Users "
+            "must rely on setuptools to provide the distutils module. "
+            "Avoid importing distutils or import setuptools first, "
+            "and avoid setting SETUPTOOLS_USE_DISTUTILS=stdlib. "
+            f"Register concerns at {report_url}"
+        )
     return which == 'local'
 
 
diff --git a/newsfragments/4137.feature.rst b/newsfragments/4137.feature.rst
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..89ca0cb758
--- /dev/null
+++ b/newsfragments/4137.feature.rst
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Support for loading distutils from the standard library is now deprecated, including use of SETUPTOOLS_USE_DISTUTILS=stdlib and importing distutils before importing setuptools.
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/pytest.ini b/pytest.ini
index 57ab865366..e49b81561a 100644
--- a/pytest.ini
+++ b/pytest.ini
@@ -73,6 +73,9 @@ filterwarnings=
 	# suppress warnings in deprecated msvc compilers
 	ignore:(bcpp|msvc9?)compiler is deprecated
 
+	# Ignore warnings about deprecated stdlib distutils pypa/setuptools#4137
+	ignore:Reliance on distutils from stdlib is deprecated
+
 	ignore::setuptools.command.editable_wheel.InformationOnly
 
 	# https://github.com/pypa/setuptools/issues/3655