diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 91caaeba41a9..3d5e366f56db 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ Lints included in this crate:
  - `clippy_box_vec`: Warns on usage of `Box<Vec<T>>`
  - `clippy_dlist`: Warns on usage of `DList`
  - `clippy_str_to_string`: Warns on usage of `str::to_string()`
+ - `clippy_toplevel_ref_arg`: Warns when a function argument is declared `ref` (i.e. `fn foo(ref x: u8)`, but not `fn foo((ref x, ref y): (u8, u8))`).
 
 More to come, please [file an issue](https://github.com/Manishearth/rust-clippy/issues) if you have ideas!
 
diff --git a/examples/toplevel_ref_arg.rs b/examples/toplevel_ref_arg.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..0be737f90288
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/toplevel_ref_arg.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+#![feature(phase)]
+
+#[phase(plugin)]
+extern crate rust_clippy;
+
+fn the_answer(ref mut x: u8) {
+  *x = 42;
+}
+
+fn main() {
+  let mut x = 0;
+  the_answer(x);
+  println!("The answer is {}.", x);
+}