diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 77e1190189..5ab7e6522d 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ DOWNLOAD
 
 * [Stable releases](https://github.com/SSilence/selfoss/releases) – if you just want to use selfoss.
 * [Development builds](https://bintray.com/fossar/selfoss/selfoss-git) ([latest](https://bintray.com/fossar/selfoss/selfoss-git/_latestVersion#files)) – if you want to try unreleased features or bug fixes, or help testing them.
-* [Git-tracked source code](https://github.com/SSilence/selfoss) – if you want to join selfoss development. Some assembly required.
+* [Git-tracked source code](https://github.com/SSilence/selfoss) – if you want to join selfoss development. Some [assembly](#development) required.
 
 INSTALLATION
 ------------
@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@ INSTALLATION
 3. You don't have to install the database, it will be created automatically (ensure that your database has enought rights for creating triggers)
 4. Create cronjob for updating feeds and point it to https://yourselfossurl.com/update via wget or curl. You can also execute the cliupdate.php from commandline.
 
+If you obtained selfoss using Git, some more steps will be required. See the [development](#development) section.
+
 For further questions or on any problem use our support forum: https://selfoss.aditu.de/forum/
 
 CONFIGURATION
@@ -45,6 +47,8 @@ UPDATE
 7. Insert your current database connection and your individual configuration in config.ini. Important: we change the config.ini and add new options in newer versions. You have to update the config.ini too.
 8. The database will be updated automatically (ensure that your database has enought rights for creating triggers)
 
+If you obtained selfoss using Git, some more steps might be required. See the [development](#development) section.
+
 For further questions or on any problem use our support forum: https://selfoss.aditu.de/forum
 
 
diff --git a/common.php b/common.php
index 882dd66e4f..b8bb6a2764 100644
--- a/common.php
+++ b/common.php
@@ -4,7 +4,11 @@
 use Monolog\Formatter\LineFormatter;
 use Monolog\Handler\StreamHandler;
 
-require __DIR__ . '/vendor/autoload.php';
+$autoloader = @include __DIR__ . '/vendor/autoload.php'; // we will show custom error
+if ($autoloader === false) {
+    echo 'The PHP dependencies are missing. Did you run `composer install` in the selfoss directory?';
+    exit;
+}
 
 $f3 = $f3 = Base::instance();