diff --git a/documentation/ref-manual/ref-variables.xml b/documentation/ref-manual/ref-variables.xml
index fc36af4adf..9ae3c449d4 100644
--- a/documentation/ref-manual/ref-variables.xml
+++ b/documentation/ref-manual/ref-variables.xml
@@ -10185,6 +10185,30 @@ recipes-graphics/xorg-font/font-alias_1.0.3.bb:PR = "${INC_PR}.3"
             </glossdef>
         </glossentry>
 
+        <glossentry id='var-REMOVE_PKG_SUPPORT'><glossterm>REMOVE_PKG_SUPPORT</glossterm>
+            <info>
+                REMOVE_PKG_SUPPORT[doc] = "Allows for removal of supporting packages for images that do not contain a package manager."
+            </info>
+            <glossdef>
+                <para role="glossdeffirst">
+<!--                <para role="glossdeffirst"><imagedata fileref="figures/define-generic.png" /> -->
+                    For images not containing a package manager,
+                    <filename>REMOVE_PKG_SUPPORT</filename> allows the removal
+                    of supporting packages.
+                    Packages that will be uninstalled include:
+                    <filename>update-rc.d</filename>,
+                    <filename>base-passwd</filename>,
+                    <filename>shadow</filename>,
+                    <filename>run-postinsts</filename>, and
+                    <filename>update-alternatives</filename>.
+                </para>
+
+                <para>
+                    Set the variable to "1" to remove these packages.
+                </para>
+            </glossdef>
+        </glossentry>
+
         <glossentry id='var-REQUIRED_DISTRO_FEATURES'><glossterm>REQUIRED_DISTRO_FEATURES</glossterm>
             <info>
                 REQUIRED_DISTRO_FEATURES[doc] = "When a recipe inherits the distro_features_check class, this variable identifies distribution features that must exist in the current configuration in order for the OpenEmbedded build system to build the recipe."