diff --git a/development.ini b/development.ini
--- a/development.ini
+++ b/development.ini
@@ -362,6 +362,7 @@ logview.pylons.util = #eee
 sqlalchemy.url = sqlite:///%(here)s/kallithea.db?timeout=60
 #sqlalchemy.url = postgresql://user:pass@localhost/kallithea
 #sqlalchemy.url = mysql://user:pass@localhost/kallithea?charset=utf8
+## Note: the mysql:// prefix should also be used for MariaDB
 
 sqlalchemy.pool_recycle = 3600