diff --git a/book/installation.rst b/book/installation.rst
index 58029ab3e90..24ad4650c64 100644
--- a/book/installation.rst
+++ b/book/installation.rst
@@ -252,8 +252,8 @@ If there are any issues, correct them now before moving on.
         $ rm -rf var/cache/* var/logs/* var/sessions/*
 
         $ HTTPDUSER=`ps axo user,comm | grep -E '[a]pache|[h]ttpd|[_]www|[w]ww-data|[n]ginx' | grep -v root | head -1 | cut -d\  -f1`
-        $ sudo chmod +a "$HTTPDUSER allow delete,write,append,file_inherit,directory_inherit" var
-        $ sudo chmod +a "`whoami` allow delete,write,append,file_inherit,directory_inherit" var
+        $ sudo chmod -R +a "$HTTPDUSER allow delete,write,append,file_inherit,directory_inherit" var
+        $ sudo chmod -R +a "`whoami` allow delete,write,append,file_inherit,directory_inherit" var
 
 
     **3. Using ACL on a system that does not support chmod +a**