diff --git a/documentation/ref-manual/ref-variables.xml b/documentation/ref-manual/ref-variables.xml
index ee1fcadad1..1221cab7ae 100644
--- a/documentation/ref-manual/ref-variables.xml
+++ b/documentation/ref-manual/ref-variables.xml
@@ -3141,15 +3141,15 @@
                     by UUID to allow the kernel to locate the root device
                     even if the device name changes due to differences in
                     hardware configuration.
-                    By default, <filename>SYSLINUX_ROOT</filename> is set
+                    By default, <filename>ROOT_VM</filename> is set
                     as follows:
                     <literallayout class='monospaced'>
-     SYSLINUX_ROOT = "root=/dev/sda2"
+     ROOT_VM ?= "root=/dev/sda2"
                     </literallayout>
                     However, you can change this to locate the root device
                     using the disk signature instead:
                     <literallayout class='monospaced'>
-     SYSLINUX_ROOT = "root=PARTUUID=${DISK_SIGNATURE}-02"
+     ROOT_VM = "root=PARTUUID=${DISK_SIGNATURE}-02"
                     </literallayout>
                 </para>