diff --git a/etc/nova/api-paste.ini b/etc/nova/api-paste.ini
index fe11b1d41f60..861bd3d579ae 100644
--- a/etc/nova/api-paste.ini
+++ b/etc/nova/api-paste.ini
@@ -150,5 +150,8 @@ auth_host = 127.0.0.1
 auth_port = 35357
 auth_protocol = http
 auth_uri = http://127.0.0.1:5000/
-# NOTE(vish): you will have to replace the value below with an actual admin token
+# NOTE: you will have to replace the values below with an actual token
+# or user:password combination.
+# admin_user = %SERVICE_USER%
+# admin_password = %SERVICE_PASSWORD%
 admin_token = %SERVICE_TOKEN%