diff --git a/README.rst b/README.rst
index 5af3818..bd99793 100644
--- a/README.rst
+++ b/README.rst
@@ -104,7 +104,10 @@ Python package
     # If no exception is raised by validate(), the spec is valid.
     validate(spec_dict)
 
-    validate({'openapi': '3.1.0'})
+    # Example of an intentionally invalid spec.
+    invalid_spec = {'openapi': '3.1.0'}
+
+    validate(invalid_spec)
 
     Traceback (most recent call last):
         ...
diff --git a/docs/python.rst b/docs/python.rst
index b8ecdd5..7bb05ae 100644
--- a/docs/python.rst
+++ b/docs/python.rst
@@ -13,7 +13,10 @@ By default, OpenAPI spec version is detected. To validate spec:
     # If no exception is raised by validate(), the spec is valid.
     validate(spec_dict)
 
-    validate({'openapi': '3.1.0'})
+    # Example of an intentionally invalid spec.
+    invalid_spec = {'openapi': '3.1.0'}
+
+    validate(invalid_spec)
 
     Traceback (most recent call last):
     ...