diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 5cb5940d0c2..2f137e8b7ff 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -149,6 +149,14 @@ PS> scoop install go-ipfs
 
 ### Build from Source
 
+go-ipfs's build system requires Go 1.12 and some standard POSIX build tools:
+
+* GNU make
+* Git
+* GCC (or some other go compatible C Compiler) (optional)
+
+To build without GCC, build with `CGO_ENABLED=0` (e.g., `make build CGO_ENABLED=0`).
+
 #### Install Go
 
 The build process for ipfs requires Go 1.12 or higher. If you don't have it: [Download Go 1.12+](https://golang.org/dl/).
@@ -171,6 +179,10 @@ $ cd go-ipfs
 $ make install
 ```
 
+Alternatively, you can run `make build` to build the go-ipfs binary (storing it in `cmd/ipfs/ipfs`) without installing it.
+
+**NOTE:** If you get an error along the lines of "fatal error: stdlib.h: No such file or directory", you're missing a C compiler. Either re-run `make` with `CGO_ENABLED=0` or install GCC.
+
 #### Troubleshooting
 
 - Separate [instructions are available for building on Windows](docs/windows.md).