diff --git a/README.markdown b/README.markdown
index 080c19ab7f..162290cf98 100644
--- a/README.markdown
+++ b/README.markdown
@@ -4,5 +4,11 @@ ported to FreeBSD and now there is a functional Linux ZFS kernel port
 too. The port currently includes a fully functional and stable SPA, DMU,
 and ZVOL with a ZFS Posix Layer (ZPL) on the way!
 
-Documentation for building, configuring, and using ZFS can be found at:
-<http://wiki.github.com/behlendorf/zfs/>
+To build packages for your distribution, first build and install the
+SPL packages <http://wiki.github.com/behlendorf/spl/> then:
+
+$ ./configure
+$ make pkg
+
+Full documentation for building, configuring, and using ZFS can be
+found at: <http://wiki.github.com/behlendorf/zfs/>