diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 99dcfff654..3e78a8ca62 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -17,8 +17,13 @@ all:
 
 all check install installdirs installcheck installcheck-parallel uninstall clean distclean maintainer-clean dist distcheck world check-world install-world installcheck-world:
 	@if [ ! -f GNUmakefile ] ; then \
+	   if [ ! -f INSTALL ] ; then \
+	       INSTRUCTIONS="'README.git'"; \
+	   else \
+		   INSTRUCTIONS="'INSTALL'"; \
+	   fi; \
 	   echo "You need to run the 'configure' program first. See the file"; \
-	   echo "'INSTALL' for installation instructions." ; \
+	   echo "$$INSTRUCTIONS for installation instructions." ; \
 	   false ; \
 	 fi
 	@IFS=':' ; \