diff --git a/doc/03-cli.md b/doc/03-cli.md
index 6460e9e1d..5fc527c49 100644
--- a/doc/03-cli.md
+++ b/doc/03-cli.md
@@ -917,6 +917,10 @@ if you use Composer as super user at all times like in docker containers.
 
 If set, the value is used as php's memory_limit.
 
+### COMPOSER_SELF_UPDATE_TARGET
+
+If set, makes the self-update command write the new Composer phar file into that path instead of overwriting itself. Useful for updating Composer on read-only filesystem.
+
 ### COMPOSER_MIRROR_PATH_REPOS
 
 If set to 1, this env changes the default path repository strategy to `mirror` instead