diff --git a/JavaScript-API.md b/JavaScript-API.md
index 67db4c345..44cb8118c 100644
--- a/JavaScript-API.md
+++ b/JavaScript-API.md
@@ -166,7 +166,10 @@ The `web3` object provides all methods.
 ##### Example
 
 ```js
-var web3 = require('web3')
+var Web3 = require('web3');
+// create an instance of web3 using the HTTP provider.
+// NOTE in mist web3 is already available, so check first if its available before instantiating
+var web3 = new Web3(new Web3.providers.HttpProvider("http://localhost:8545"));
 ```
 
 ***