diff --git a/documentation/ref-manual/ref-classes.xml b/documentation/ref-manual/ref-classes.xml
index b93ae36e04..8facafb74a 100644
--- a/documentation/ref-manual/ref-classes.xml
+++ b/documentation/ref-manual/ref-classes.xml
@@ -1048,6 +1048,9 @@
     <para>
         The license (<filename>license</filename>) class provides license
         manifest creation and license exclusion.
+        This class is enabled by default using the default value for the
+        <link linkend='var-INHERIT_DISTRO'><filename>INHERIT_DISTRO</filename></link>
+        variable.
     </para>
 </section>
 
diff --git a/documentation/ref-manual/ref-variables.xml b/documentation/ref-manual/ref-variables.xml
index aa0737e498..a33595cd6f 100644
--- a/documentation/ref-manual/ref-variables.xml
+++ b/documentation/ref-manual/ref-variables.xml
@@ -2902,6 +2902,25 @@ recipes-graphics/xorg-font/font-alias_1.0.3.bb:PR = "${INC_PR}.3"
             </glossdef>
         </glossentry>
 
+        <glossentry id='var-INHERIT_DISTRO'><glossterm>INHERIT_DISTRO</glossterm>
+            <glossdef>
+                <para>
+                    Lists classes that are inherited by default at the
+                    distribution level.
+                    It is unlikely that you want to edit this variable.
+                </para>
+
+                <para>
+                    The variable is set as follows in the
+                    <filename>meta/conf/distro/defaultsetup.conf</filename>
+                    file:
+                    <literallayout class='monospaced'>
+     INHERIT_DISTRO ?= "debian devshell sstate license"
+                    </literallayout>
+                </para>
+            </glossdef>
+        </glossentry>
+
         <glossentry id='var-INITRAMFS_FSTYPES'><glossterm>INITRAMFS_FSTYPES</glossterm>
             <glossdef>
                 <para>