diff --git a/docs/submittingpatches.rst b/docs/submittingpatches.rst
index 9702061f3fb..66e77639d4c 100644
--- a/docs/submittingpatches.rst
+++ b/docs/submittingpatches.rst
@@ -356,9 +356,9 @@ For patches that either need to be nominated after they've landed in
 main, or that are known ahead of time to not not apply cleanly to a
 stable branch (such as due to a rename), using a GitLab MR is most
 appropriate. The MR should be based on and target the
-staging/year.quarter branch, not on the year.quarter branch, per the
-stable branch policy. Assigning the MR to release maintainer for said
-branch or mentioning them is helpful, but not required.
+``staging/**year.quarter**`` branch, not on the ``year.quarter`` branch,
+per the stable branch policy. Assigning the MR to release maintainer for
+said branch or mentioning them is helpful, but not required.
 
 Documentation patches
 ---------------------