diff --git a/roles/build-diskimage/README.rst b/roles/build-diskimage/README.rst
index 7d292b365..1e9a1b3d7 100644
--- a/roles/build-diskimage/README.rst
+++ b/roles/build-diskimage/README.rst
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ Example:
 .. zuul:rolevar:: build_diskimage_command
    :default: "{{ ensure_dib_command }}"
 
-   Path to the build-disk-image command. This defaults to 
+   Path to the build-disk-image command. This defaults to
    {{ ensure_dib_command }}. as being set by the ensure-dib role.
 
 .. zuul:rolevar:: build_diskimage_image_name
@@ -42,6 +42,9 @@ Example:
 
    List of elements that should be used when creating the disk image.
 
+   For ease of use with YAML anchors, this may be provided as a list
+   of lists which will be flattened automatically.
+
 .. zuul:rolevar:: build_diskimage_environment
    :type: dict
 
diff --git a/roles/build-diskimage/tasks/main.yaml b/roles/build-diskimage/tasks/main.yaml
index 5e4781255..4be0141c9 100644
--- a/roles/build-diskimage/tasks/main.yaml
+++ b/roles/build-diskimage/tasks/main.yaml
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
       -o "{{ build_diskimage_image_root }}/{{ build_diskimage_image_name | mandatory }}"
       -t "{{ build_diskimage_formats | join(',') }}"
       --logfile "{{ build_diskimage_logs_dir }}/diskimage-{{ build_diskimage_image_name }}.log"
-      {{ build_diskimage_elements | mandatory | join(' ') }}
+      {{ build_diskimage_elements | mandatory | flatten | join(' ') }}
   args:
     chdir: "{{ build_diskimage_image_root }}"
   environment: "{{ build_diskimage_environment }}"
diff --git a/zuul.d/dib-jobs.yaml b/zuul.d/dib-jobs.yaml
index 7f04fe37b..6e6ed9a49 100644
--- a/zuul.d/dib-jobs.yaml
+++ b/zuul.d/dib-jobs.yaml
@@ -26,6 +26,9 @@
 
          List of elements that should be used when creating the disk image.
 
+         For ease of use with YAML anchors, this may be provided as a list
+         of lists which will be flattened automatically.
+
       .. zuul:jobvar:: build_diskimage_environment
          :type: dict