diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 05833d4..e6217d6 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ navigating to the `corrode` directory, installing the `happy` and `alex` tools,
 and then building and installing the `corrode` package:
 
 ```
+cabal update
 cabal install happy
 cabal install alex
 cabal install