diff --git a/external/dist/lib/README.md b/external/dist/lib/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..8f44cd646
--- /dev/null
+++ b/external/dist/lib/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+It's *very highly* recommended to *not* use these files, but rather use the
+pre-built library as found in e.g. the `/build`, `/web`, and `/image_decoders`
+folders in the root of this repository.
+
+Please note that the "lib" build target exists mostly to enable unit-testing in
+Node.js/Travis, and that you'll need to handle e.g. any Node.js dependencies
+yourself if using the files in this folder.