diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 7d142f8ef..60413369c 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ The library's structure is mostly aligned on that of [DIPY].
 
 The library and scripts can be installed locally by using:
 ```
+export SETUPTOOLS_USE_DISTUTILS=stdlib
 pip install -e .
 ```