diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index dc2b0cb977..52cb4b05d7 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -23,5 +23,9 @@ An easier way to reformat code is to set IntelliJ to do it on save. Go to
 `Settings -> Language & Frameworks -> JavaScript -> Prettier` and then check
 `Automatic Prettier Configuration`, set `Run for files` to `**/*.{java}`,
 and finally check `Run on save`.
+For this to work you also need to have [Node.js](https://nodejs.org)
+installed and configured under `Settings -> Language & Frameworks -> Node.js`
+and the file you're saving *must* be able to compile otherwise no formatting
+can be performed.
 
 The formatting is validated by CI, but you should do it beforehand with a simple `./mvnw verify -pl .`.