diff --git a/etc/nova/README-policy.yaml.txt b/etc/nova/README-policy.yaml.txt
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f0188aa91
--- /dev/null
+++ b/etc/nova/README-policy.yaml.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+To generate the sample policy.yaml file, run the following command from the top
+level of the nova directory:
+
+    tox -egenpolicy