diff --git a/docs/compiler.md b/docs/compiler.md
index 3dc2d52b7..b99da5398 100644
--- a/docs/compiler.md
+++ b/docs/compiler.md
@@ -54,6 +54,13 @@ this requires you to set proper `GOROOT` environment variable, like
 export GOROOT=/usr/lib64/go/1.15
 ```
 
+You'll also need to initialize go modules for your contract like this (in the
+directory containing contract package):
+```
+$ go mod init
+$ go mod tidy
+```
+
 ### Compiling
 
 ```