diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 3bef8b7..dfc763f 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -17,10 +17,17 @@ For more info, please visit [the Tinyproxy web site](https://tinyproxy.github.io
 
 ## Installation
 
+Tinyproxy uses a standard GNU `configure` script based on the automake
+system.  If compiling from a git checkout, you need to first run
 
-To install this package under a UNIX derivative, read the INSTALL file.
-Tinyproxy uses a standard GNU `configure` script. Basically you should
-be able to do:
+```
+./autogen.sh
+```
+
+from the top level directory to generate the `configure` script.
+The release tarball contains the pre-created `configure` script,
+so when building fom a release, you can skip this step.
+Then basically all you need to do is
 
 
 ```
@@ -55,6 +62,10 @@ Compile a static version of Tinyproxy.
 - `--with-stathost=HOST`: 
 Set the default name of the stats host.
 
+For more information about the build system, read the INSTALL file
+that is generated by `autogen.sh` and comes with the release tar ball.
+
+
 
 ## Support