diff --git a/docs/guides/main.rst b/docs/guides/main.rst
index f900bbaad..68e6be797 100644
--- a/docs/guides/main.rst
+++ b/docs/guides/main.rst
@@ -99,8 +99,8 @@ You'll want to set a few basic options before you start using beets. The
 configuration is stored in a text file: on Unix-like OSes, the config file is
 at ``~/.config/beets/config.yaml``; on Windows, it's at
 ``%APPDATA%\beets\config.yaml``. Create and edit the appropriate file with your
-favorite text editor. This file will start out empty, but here's good place to
-start::
+favorite text editor. (You may need to create the enclosing directories also.)
+The file will start out empty, but here's good place to start::
 
     directory: ~/music
     library: ~/data/musiclibrary.blb