diff --git a/documentation/ref-manual/ref-variables.xml b/documentation/ref-manual/ref-variables.xml
index 4d821760b4..f3211f84ed 100644
--- a/documentation/ref-manual/ref-variables.xml
+++ b/documentation/ref-manual/ref-variables.xml
@@ -1995,6 +1995,13 @@ Core layer for images cannot be removed
                 <para>
                     Specifies the formats the OpenEmbedded build system uses
                     during the build when creating the root filesystem.
+                    For example, setting <filename>IMAGE_FSTYPES</filename>
+                    as follows causes the build system to create root
+                    filesystems using two formats: <filename>.ext3</filename>
+                    and <filename>tar.bz2</filename>:
+                    <literallayout class='monospaced'>
+     IMAGE_FSTYPES = "ext3 tar.bz2"
+                    </literallayout>
                     For the complete list of supported image formats from which
                     you can choose, see
                     <link linkend='var-IMAGE_TYPES'><filename>IMAGE_TYPES</filename></link>.