diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index a528934..62e2fb0 100755
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ The following environment variables are supported:
 
  * `STAGE_LIST` (Default: `stage*`)
 
-    If set, then instead of working through the numeric stages in order, this list will be followed. For example setting to `stage0 stage1 mystage stage2` will run the contents of `mystage` before stage2. An absolute or relative path can be given for stages outside the pi-gen directory.
+    If set, then instead of working through the numeric stages in order, this list will be followed. For example setting to `"stage0 stage1 mystage stage2"` will run the contents of `mystage` before stage2. Note that quotes are needed around the list. An absolute or relative path can be given for stages outside the pi-gen directory.
 
 A simple example for building Raspbian: