diff --git a/docs/getting-started-guides/network-policy/calico.md b/docs/getting-started-guides/network-policy/calico.md
index 45df4018fa..8efc32f068 100644
--- a/docs/getting-started-guides/network-policy/calico.md
+++ b/docs/getting-started-guides/network-policy/calico.md
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ You can deploy a cluster using Calico for network policy in the default [GCE dep
 
 ```shell
 export NETWORK_POLICY_PROVIDER=calico
+export KUBE_NODE_OS_DISTRIBUTION=debian
 curl -sS https://get.k8s.io | bash
 ```