diff --git a/api/maven-api-core/src/main/java/org/apache/maven/api/plugin/annotations/Execute.java b/api/maven-api-core/src/main/java/org/apache/maven/api/plugin/annotations/Execute.java
index e4f870786a..6aec366662 100644
--- a/api/maven-api-core/src/main/java/org/apache/maven/api/plugin/annotations/Execute.java
+++ b/api/maven-api-core/src/main/java/org/apache/maven/api/plugin/annotations/Execute.java
@@ -41,20 +41,30 @@
 public @interface Execute
 {
     /**
-     * lifecycle phase to fork. Note that specifying a phase overrides specifying a goal.
+     * Lifecycle phase to fork. Note that specifying a phase overrides specifying a goal.
+     * For custom lifecycle phase ids use {@link #customPhase()} instead.
+     * Only one of {@link #customPhase()} and {@link #phase()} must be set.
      * @return the phase
      */
     LifecyclePhase phase() default LifecyclePhase.NONE;
 
     /**
-     * goal to fork. Note that specifying a phase overrides specifying a goal. The specified <code>goal</code> must be
+     * Custom lifecycle phase to fork. Note that specifying a phase overrides specifying a goal.
+     * This element should only be used for non-standard phases. For standard phases rather use {@link #phase()}.
+     * Only one of {@link #customPhase()} and {@link #phase()} must be set.
+     * @return the custom phase id
+     */
+    String customPhase() default "";
+
+    /**
+     * Goal to fork. Note that specifying a phase overrides specifying a goal. The specified <code>goal</code> must be
      * another goal of the same plugin.
      * @return the goal
      */
     String goal() default "";
 
     /**
-     * lifecycle id of the lifecycle that defines {@link #phase()}. Only valid in combination with {@link #phase()}. If
+     * Lifecycle id of the lifecycle that defines {@link #phase()}. Only valid in combination with {@link #phase()}. If
      * not specified, Maven will use the lifecycle of the current build.
      *
      * @see <a href="https://maven.apache.org/maven-plugin-api/lifecycle-mappings.html">Lifecycle Mappings</a>