diff --git a/meta-poky/recipes-core/base-files/base-files_%.bbappend b/meta-poky/recipes-core/base-files/base-files_%.bbappend
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..8802adbb46b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/meta-poky/recipes-core/base-files/base-files_%.bbappend
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+FILESEXTRAPATHS:prepend := "${THISDIR}/files:"
diff --git a/meta-poky/recipes-core/base-files/files/poky/motd b/meta-poky/recipes-core/base-files/files/poky/motd
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..bffb7fadf1d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/meta-poky/recipes-core/base-files/files/poky/motd
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+
+WARNING: Poky is a reference Yocto Project distribution that should be used for
+testing and development purposes only. It is recommended that you create your
+own distribution.
+