diff --git a/rebar.config.sample b/rebar.config.sample
index de709981..f57f8dc1 100644
--- a/rebar.config.sample
+++ b/rebar.config.sample
@@ -211,7 +211,7 @@
 
 %% apps to auto-boot with `rebar3 shell'; defaults to apps
 %% specified in a `relx' tuple, if any.
-{shell_apps, [app1, app2]}
+{shell, [{apps, [app1, app2]}]}.
 
 %% == xref ==