diff --git a/documentation/ref-manual/ref-variables.xml b/documentation/ref-manual/ref-variables.xml
index b04b4ed474..6913b95bdb 100644
--- a/documentation/ref-manual/ref-variables.xml
+++ b/documentation/ref-manual/ref-variables.xml
@@ -1363,19 +1363,24 @@ Core layer for images cannot be removed
                 <para>
                     Directs BitBake to exclude a recipe from world builds (i.e.
                     <filename>bitbake world</filename>).
-                    This variable is intrinsically understood by BitBake.
-                </para>
-
-                <note>
                     During world builds, BitBake locates, parses and builds all
                     recipes found in every layer exposed in the
                     <filename>bblayers.conf</filename> configuration file.
-                </note>
+                </para>
 
                 <para>
                     To exclude a recipe from a world build using this variable,
                     set the variable to "1" in the recipe.
                 </para>
+
+                <note>
+                    Recipes added to <filename>EXCLUDE_FROM_WORLD</filename>
+                    may still be built during a world build in order to satisfy
+                    dependencies of other recipes.
+                    Adding a recipe to <filename>EXCLUDE_FROM_WORLD</filename>
+                    only ensures that the recipe is not explicitly added
+                    to the list of build targets in a world build.
+                </note>
             </glossdef>
         </glossentry>