diff --git a/packaging/debian/maintainer.rst b/packaging/debian/maintainer.rst
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..111d4fcc3e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packaging/debian/maintainer.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+Maintainer duty
+===============
+
+The Debian project specifies the role of a 'maintainer' which is the person
+making the Debian package of the program. This role requires an 'sponsor' to
+upload the package. As a maintainer you should follow the guide
+http://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/maint-guide . Your sponsor will be there
+helping you succeed.
+
+The most relevant information to update is the changelog file:
+Each new release should create a new first paragraph with new release version,
+changes, and the maintainer information.
+
+After this is done, follow README.debian to generate the actual source
+packages and talk with your sponsor to upload them into the official Debian
+package archive.