diff --git a/doc/source/devstackGSG.rst b/doc/source/devstackGSG.rst
index 66660c2..1ced33f 100644
--- a/doc/source/devstackGSG.rst
+++ b/doc/source/devstackGSG.rst
@@ -36,6 +36,9 @@ from the collectd-ceilometer-plugin repo into your devstack directory.
 
 Edit the "HOST_IP" varible to appropriately match your environment.
 
+Also include your chosen "CEILOMETER_BACKEND", as there is no default backend for
+ceilometer. The options for this backend include mysql,es,postgresql or mongodb.
+
 If you wish to enable any extra features please follow the instructions in the
 "Additional Features" section below before moving on to the next step.
 
@@ -73,4 +76,4 @@ To enable this feature execute the following instructions:
   If you would like to add more than one new unit include them in the same line
   and seperate each meter and its unit with a comma, as shown below.
 
-| COLLECTD_CEILOMETER_UNITS="<meter> <unit>,<meter> <unit>"
\ No newline at end of file
+| COLLECTD_CEILOMETER_UNITS="<meter> <unit>,<meter> <unit>"
diff --git a/doc/source/examples/local.conf.minimal b/doc/source/examples/local.conf.minimal
index b7e4b77..d620c28 100644
--- a/doc/source/examples/local.conf.minimal
+++ b/doc/source/examples/local.conf.minimal
@@ -20,6 +20,10 @@ enable_service rabbit
 enable_service dstat
 
 enable_plugin ceilometer https://github.com/openstack/ceilometer master
+# Ceilometer requires a backend, selected default is mysql.
+# For more options refer to devstackGSG.rst
+CEILOMETER_BACKEND=mysql
+
 enable_plugin collectd-ceilometer https://github.com/openstack/collectd-ceilometer-plugin stable/newton
 
 COLLECTD_INSTALL=True
diff --git a/releasenotes/notes/bug-1655611-2135600015157ed9.yaml b/releasenotes/notes/bug-1655611-2135600015157ed9.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b9815e5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/releasenotes/notes/bug-1655611-2135600015157ed9.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+---
+fixes:
+  - Fixes 'bug 1655611 https://bugs.launchpad.net/collectd-ceilometer-plugin/+bug/1655611'.
+    Included information on defining the "CEILOMETER_BACKEND", included information on the
+    the backend options in devstackGSG.rst. Added mysql as the backend to the
+    collectd-ceilometer-plugin.conf file. The ceilometer backend has to be defined as
+    there is no longer a default.