diff --git a/docs/parsec_user_guide.md b/docs/parsec_user_guide.md
index be7ebcd98..2ac4e1717 100644
--- a/docs/parsec_user_guide.md
+++ b/docs/parsec_user_guide.md
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ If you are using MacOS or an Ubuntu-like distribution, you can run the system wi
 
 Build and run the system:
 ```console
+$ ./scripts/configure.sh  # only necessary on initial setup
 $ ./scripts/build.sh
 $ ./scripts/parsec-run-local.sh [OPTIONS]  # use --help flag for help
 ```