diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 048ecf5f5..f208d011c 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -30,6 +30,12 @@ We use Rspec for testing:
 bundle exec rspec
 ```
 
+Note when using a fresh test database you will need to instantiate the test db with:
+```bash
+bundle exec rake db:create RAILS_ENV=test
+```
+
+
 Follow along via [Github Issues](https://github.com/datacite/lupo/issues).
 
 ### Note on Patches/Pull Requests
@@ -42,4 +48,4 @@ Follow along via [Github Issues](https://github.com/datacite/lupo/issues).
 
 ## License
 
-**Lupo** is released under the [MIT License](https://github.com/datacite/lupo/blob/master/LICENSE).
\ No newline at end of file
+**Lupo** is released under the [MIT License](https://github.com/datacite/lupo/blob/master/LICENSE).