diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 27070b77..8b5aa0ae 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@
 
 *A mostly reasonable approach to JavaScript*
 
+> **Note**: this guide assumes you are using [Babel](https://babeljs.io), and requires that you use [babel-preset-airbnb](https://npmjs.com/babel-preset-airbnb) or the equivalent. It also assumes you are installing shims/polyfills in your app, with [airbnb-browser-shims](https://npmjs.com/airbnb-browser-shims) or the equivalent.
+
 [![Downloads](https://img.shields.io/npm/dm/eslint-config-airbnb.svg)](https://www.npmjs.com/package/eslint-config-airbnb)
 [![Downloads](https://img.shields.io/npm/dm/eslint-config-airbnb-base.svg)](https://www.npmjs.com/package/eslint-config-airbnb-base)
 [![Gitter](https://badges.gitter.im/Join%20Chat.svg)](https://gitter.im/airbnb/javascript?utm_source=badge&utm_medium=badge&utm_campaign=pr-badge)