diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index a7698fe46c..24d27b2cf7 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -52,10 +52,12 @@ v up
 
 ### C compiler
 
-You'll need Clang or GCC or Visual Studio. If you are doing development, you most likely already have it installed.
+You'll need Clang or GCC or Visual Studio. If you are doing development, you most likely already have one of those installed.
 
 On macOS run `xcode-select --install` if you don't have XCode or XCode tools.
 
+On Debian/Ubuntu run `sudo apt install build-essential`.
+
 On Windows follow these instructions: [github.com/vlang/v/wiki/Installing-a-C-compiler-on-Windows](https://github.com/vlang/v/wiki/Installing-a-C-compiler-on-Windows)