diff --git a/rules/S1289/cobol/rule.adoc b/rules/S1289/cobol/rule.adoc
index cdfd4781c08..f8feae4e26e 100644
--- a/rules/S1289/cobol/rule.adoc
+++ b/rules/S1289/cobol/rule.adoc
@@ -30,6 +30,8 @@ MOVE "John" TO FIRST_NAME.
 
 ``++FILLER++`` top level data items and top level data items which have sub data items with a ``++VALUE++`` clause are not checked by this rule.
 
+``++EXTERNAL++`` data items are not checked by this rule.
+
 ifdef::env-github,rspecator-view[]
 
 '''