diff --git a/plugins/devtools/README.md b/plugins/devtools/README.md
index 2d21e8e6f2..ca9b436acc 100644
--- a/plugins/devtools/README.md
+++ b/plugins/devtools/README.md
@@ -418,6 +418,8 @@ By default, only packages with names starting with `@backstage` and `@internal`
 devTools:
   info:
     packagePrefixes:
+      # Note that you MUST have quotes around these. The YAML won't be valid
+      # if you don't, because of the leading at-symbols.
       - '@roadiehq/backstage-'
       - '@spotify/backstage-'
 ```