diff --git a/chapter11/theend.xml b/chapter11/theend.xml
index 92e0aaad5..994cba8c3 100644
--- a/chapter11/theend.xml
+++ b/chapter11/theend.xml
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ ID=lfs
 PRETTY_NAME="Linux From Scratch &version;"
 VERSION_CODENAME="<your name here>"
 HOME_URL="&lfs-root;lfs/"
-RELEASE_TYPE="development"
+RELEASE_TYPE="&os-release-type;"
 EOF</userinput></screen>
 
   <para>Be sure to customize the fields 'DISTRIB_CODENAME' and
diff --git a/general.ent b/general.ent
index d6bf13792..4e1480324 100644
--- a/general.ent
+++ b/general.ent
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@
                                              &patches-root;,
                                              &donwloads-root;, and
                                              &test-results; -->
+<!ENTITY os-release-type "development"> <!-- used by /etc/os-release -->
 ]]><!-- End %development -->
 
 <![ %release; [
@@ -52,6 +53,7 @@
                                           &test-results; -->
 <!ENTITY releasedate     "%reldate;">
 <!ENTITY copyrightdate   "%crdate;">
+<!ENTITY os-release-type "stable"> <!-- used by /etc/os-release -->
 ]]>
 
 <![ %rc; [
@@ -70,6 +72,7 @@
                                                     &test-results; -->
 <!ENTITY releasedate     "%reldate;">
 <!ENTITY copyrightdate   "%crdate;">
+<!ENTITY os-release-type "development"> <!-- used by /etc/os-release -->
 ]]>
 
 <![ %sysv; [