diff --git a/documentation/ref-manual/ref-variables.xml b/documentation/ref-manual/ref-variables.xml
index 778587f7d2..43b387c749 100644
--- a/documentation/ref-manual/ref-variables.xml
+++ b/documentation/ref-manual/ref-variables.xml
@@ -1176,18 +1176,19 @@ Core layer for images cannot be removed
                     a directory that has the same name as the corresponding
                     append file.
                     <note>
-                        When using the <filename>FILESEXTRAPATHS</filename>,
+                        <para>When extending <filename>FILESEXTRAPATHS</filename>,
                         be sure to use the immediate expansion
-                        (<filename>:=</filename>) operator and include
-                        the trailing separating colon character.
+                        (<filename>:=</filename>) operator.
                         Immediate expansion makes sure that BitBake evaluates
                         <filename>THISDIR</filename> at the time the directive
                         is encountered rather than at some later time when
                         expansion might result in a directory that does not
-                        contain the files you need.
+                        contain the files you need.</para>
+                        <para>Also, include the trailing separating colon
+                        character if you are prepending.
                         The trailing colon character is necessary because you
                         are directing BitBake to extend the path by prepending
-                        directories to the search path.
+                        directories to the search path.</para>
                     </note>
                     Here is another common use:
                     <literallayout class='monospaced'>