diff --git a/documentation/poky-ref-manual/ref-variables.xml b/documentation/poky-ref-manual/ref-variables.xml
index bc3d286f52..916366e88e 100644
--- a/documentation/poky-ref-manual/ref-variables.xml
+++ b/documentation/poky-ref-manual/ref-variables.xml
@@ -1354,7 +1354,13 @@ recipes-graphics/xorg-font/font-alias_1.0.3.bb:PR = "${INC_PR}.3"
 
          <glossentry id='var-MACHINE'><glossterm>MACHINE</glossterm>
             <glossdef>
-                <para>Specifies the target device.</para>
+                <para>
+                    Specifies the target device. 
+                    This variable corresponds to a file with the
+                    extension <filename>.conf</filename> located in a 
+                    <filename>conf/machine</filename> directory
+                    within the metadata that contains the target device configuration.
+                </para>
             </glossdef>
          </glossentry>