diff --git a/crates/ruff_dev/src/generate_options.rs b/crates/ruff_dev/src/generate_options.rs
index 38737fb439..a3d6b2d4d2 100644
--- a/crates/ruff_dev/src/generate_options.rs
+++ b/crates/ruff_dev/src/generate_options.rs
@@ -128,7 +128,11 @@ fn emit_field(output: &mut String, name: &str, field: &OptionField, parent_set:
     output.push_str(&format!(
         "**Example usage**:\n\n```toml\n[tool.ruff{}]\n{}\n```\n",
         if let Some(set_name) = parent_set.name() {
-            format!(".{set_name}")
+            if set_name == "format" {
+                String::from(".format")
+            } else {
+                format!(".lint.{set_name}")
+            }
         } else {
             String::new()
         },