diff --git a/docs/sources/dashboards/variables/_index.md b/docs/sources/dashboards/variables/_index.md
index 37171558ea3..294695b45c1 100644
--- a/docs/sources/dashboards/variables/_index.md
+++ b/docs/sources/dashboards/variables/_index.md
@@ -58,3 +58,6 @@ The following dashboards in Grafana Play provide examples of template variables:
 
 - Variable drop-down lists are displayed in the order they are listed in the variable list in Dashboard settings.
 - Put the variables that you will change often at the top, so they will be shown first (far left on the dashboard).
+- By default, variables don't have a default value. This means that the topmost value in the drop-down is always preselected. If you want to pre-populate a variable with an empty value, you can use the following workaround in the variable settings:
+  1. Select the **Include All Option** checkbox.
+  2. In the **Custom all value** field, enter a value like `+`.