diff --git a/docs/quickstart.rst b/docs/quickstart.rst
index 54a421e9..45a3f0f6 100644
--- a/docs/quickstart.rst
+++ b/docs/quickstart.rst
@@ -478,6 +478,9 @@ sessions work::
         # remove the username from the session if its there
         session.pop('username', None)
 
+    # set the secret key.  keep this really secret:
+    app.secret_key = 'the secret key'
+
 Message Flashing
 ----------------