diff --git a/documentation/ref-manual/ref-variables.xml b/documentation/ref-manual/ref-variables.xml
index 1144823779..110368c484 100644
--- a/documentation/ref-manual/ref-variables.xml
+++ b/documentation/ref-manual/ref-variables.xml
@@ -2708,6 +2708,11 @@
                     variable.
                     The OpenEmbedded build system uses the first package type
                     (e.g. DEB, RPM, or IPK) that appears with the variable
+                    <note>
+                        Files using the <filename>.tar</filename> format are
+                        never used as a substitute packaging format for DEB,
+                        RPM, and IPK formatted files for your image or SDK.
+                    </note>
                 </para>
             </glossdef>
         </glossentry>