diff --git a/doc/topics/beacons/index.rst b/doc/topics/beacons/index.rst
index 3a4514bdc38..0c8cde04cf6 100644
--- a/doc/topics/beacons/index.rst
+++ b/doc/topics/beacons/index.rst
@@ -41,8 +41,12 @@ Beacons are typically enabled by placing a ``beacons:`` top level block in
     beacons:
       inotify:
         - files:
-            /etc/important_file: {}
-            /opt: {}
+            /etc/important_file:
+              mask:
+                - modify
+            /opt:
+              mask:
+                - modify
 
 The beacon system, like many others in Salt, can also be configured via the
 minion pillar, grains, or local config file.
@@ -62,11 +66,15 @@ Multiple copies of a particular Salt beacon can be configured by including the `
     beacons:
       watch_important_file:
         - files:
-            /etc/important_file: {}
+            /etc/important_file:
+              mask:
+                - modify
         - beacon_module: inotify
       watch_another_file:
         - files:
-            /etc/another_file: {}
+            /etc/another_file:
+              mask:
+                - modify
         - beacon_module: inotify
 
 
@@ -82,8 +90,12 @@ and 10-second intervals:
     beacons:
       inotify:
         - files:
-            /etc/important_file: {}
-            /opt: {}
+            /etc/important_file:
+              mask:
+                - modify
+            /opt:
+              mask:
+                - modify
         - interval: 5
         - disable_during_state_run: True
       load:
@@ -120,6 +132,8 @@ which point the normal beacon interval will resume.
       inotify:
         - files:
             /etc/important_file: {}
+              mask:
+                - modify
         - disable_during_state_run: True
 
 .. _beacon-example: