diff --git a/nodes/sample_host.json b/nodes/sample_host.json
index cf524ac3..4d60358e 100644
--- a/nodes/sample_host.json
+++ b/nodes/sample_host.json
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
     "server_root_password": "<enter a random password>",
     "server_repl_password": "<enter a random password>"
   },
+  "packages": ["<option list of system wide packages>"],
   "authorization": {
     "sudo": {
       "users": ["<your sudo user>"]