diff --git a/documentation/ref-manual/ref-classes.xml b/documentation/ref-manual/ref-classes.xml
index 320108e873..f9cf72c676 100644
--- a/documentation/ref-manual/ref-classes.xml
+++ b/documentation/ref-manual/ref-classes.xml
@@ -1344,6 +1344,21 @@
     </para>
 </section>
 
+<section id='ref-classes-patch'>
+    <title><filename>patch.bbclass</filename></title>
+
+    <para>
+        The <filename>patch</filename> class provides all functionality for
+        applying patches during the <filename>do_patch</filename> task.
+    </para>
+
+    <para>
+        This class is enabled by default because it is inherited by the
+        <link linkend='ref-classes-base'><filename>base</filename></link>
+        class.
+    </para>
+</section>
+
 <section id='ref-classes-perl'>
     <title>Perl Modules - <filename>cpan.bbclass</filename></title>