diff --git a/nixos/doc/manual/configuration/profiles.xml b/nixos/doc/manual/configuration/profiles.xml
index bf669174d66..d2982875f2a 100644
--- a/nixos/doc/manual/configuration/profiles.xml
+++ b/nixos/doc/manual/configuration/profiles.xml
@@ -26,4 +26,5 @@
   profile. Detailing each option configured by each one is out of scope.
  </para>
  <xi:include href="profiles/all-hardware.xml" />
+ <xi:include href="profiles/base.xml" />
 </chapter>
diff --git a/nixos/doc/manual/configuration/profiles/base.xml b/nixos/doc/manual/configuration/profiles/base.xml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..f58a35d626e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/nixos/doc/manual/configuration/profiles/base.xml
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+
+<section xmlns="http://docbook.org/ns/docbook"
+         xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"
+         xmlns:xi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XInclude"
+         version="5.0"
+         xml:id="sec-profile-base">
+ <title>Base</title>
+ <para>
+  Defines the software packages included in the "minimal"
+  installation CD. It installs several utilities useful in a simple recovery or
+  install media, such as a text-mode web browser, and tools for manipulating
+  block devices, networking, hardware diagnostics, and filesystems (with their
+  respective kernel modules).
+ </para>
+</section>