diff --git a/README b/README
index db8c49f91..2fac8b7cd 100644
--- a/README
+++ b/README
@@ -39,6 +39,19 @@ http://subsurface-divelog.org/downloads/Subsurface-4.7.0.tgz
 
 Detailed build instructions can be found in the INSTALL file.
 
+System Requirements:
+====================
+
+On desktop, the integrated Googlemaps feature of Subsurface requires a GPU
+driver that has support for at least OpenGL 2.1. If your driver does not
+support that, you may have to run Subsurface in software renderer mode.
+
+Subsurface will automatically attempt to detect this scenario, but in case
+in doesn't you may have to enable the software renderer manually with
+the following:
+1) Learn how to set persistent environment variables on your OS
+2) Set the environment variable 'QT_QUICK_BACKEND' with the value of 'software'
+
 Basic Usage:
 ============