diff --git a/INSTALL b/INSTALL
index e1aef7302..f8203c10d 100644
--- a/INSTALL
+++ b/INSTALL
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@ main directory and do the following:
 
         $ ./configure
 
+     Note: if ./configure does not exist you must run ./bootstrap first
+
      If you are planning to install the package into your home directory
      or to a location other than `/usr/local' then add the flag
      `--prefix=PATH' to `configure'. For example, if your home directory