diff --git a/doc/install-guide/source/environment-sql-database-rdo.rst b/doc/install-guide/source/environment-sql-database-rdo.rst
index 1f192e6cb2..6b8e5a609c 100644
--- a/doc/install-guide/source/environment-sql-database-rdo.rst
+++ b/doc/install-guide/source/environment-sql-database-rdo.rst
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ Install and configure components
    .. end
 
 2. Create and edit the ``/etc/my.cnf.d/openstack.cnf`` file
+   (backup existing configuration files in ``/etc/my.cnf.d/`` if needed)
    and complete the following actions:
 
    - Create a ``[mysqld]`` section, and set the ``bind-address``