diff --git a/misc/package.dtd b/misc/package.dtd
index 4c43099e4..df6482f7d 100644
--- a/misc/package.dtd
+++ b/misc/package.dtd
@@ -61,8 +61,10 @@
   Multiple license elements can be specified. The license
   name points to a license text. -->
 <!ELEMENT licenses (license+)>
-<!ELEMENT license (#PCDATA)> <!-- the license text, base64 encoded. -->
-<!ATTLIST license name CDATA #REQUIRED>
+<!ELEMENT license (#PCDATA?)> <!-- the license text, base64 encoded. -->
+<!ATTLIST license
+          name CDATA #REQUIRED
+          enc (plain | base64) #REQUIRED>
 
 <!-- The package trigger code, in base64 format. -->
 <!ELEMENT trigger (#PCDATA)>
diff --git a/misc/package.sample.xml b/misc/package.sample.xml
index 290611a53..e72d8c013 100644
--- a/misc/package.sample.xml
+++ b/misc/package.sample.xml
@@ -11,8 +11,8 @@
     <branch>5</branch>
     <slot>0,3.9.0-sabayon</slot>
     <licenses>
-      <license name="GPL-2">This is foo bar.</license>
-      <license name="NVIDIA">This is bar baz.</license>
+      <license name="GPL-2" enc="plain">This is foo bar.</license>
+      <license name="NVIDIA" enc="plain">This is bar baz.</license>
     </licenses>
     <trigger>0</trigger>
     <description>NVIDIA GPUs kernel drivers</description>