diff --git a/docs/internals/contributing/writing-code/unit-tests.txt b/docs/internals/contributing/writing-code/unit-tests.txt
index 188a71d5e6..6799b31871 100644
--- a/docs/internals/contributing/writing-code/unit-tests.txt
+++ b/docs/internals/contributing/writing-code/unit-tests.txt
@@ -232,6 +232,11 @@ like so::
 
    $ pip install -r tests/requirements/py3.txt  # Python 2: py2.txt
 
+If you encounter an error during the installation, your system might be missing
+a dependency for one or more of the Python packages. Consult the failing
+package's documentation or search the Web with the error message that you
+encounter.
+
 You can also install the database adapter(s) of your choice using
 ``oracle.txt``, ``mysql.txt``, or ``postgres.txt``.
 
diff --git a/docs/intro/contributing.txt b/docs/intro/contributing.txt
index bba7bbe0ac..0cc0394836 100644
--- a/docs/intro/contributing.txt
+++ b/docs/intro/contributing.txt
@@ -252,6 +252,11 @@ into the Django ``tests/`` directory and then running:
 
     $ pip install -r requirements/py3.txt
 
+If you encounter an error during the installation, your system might be missing
+a dependency for one or more of the Python packages. Consult the failing
+package's documentation or search the Web with the error message that you
+encounter.
+
 Now we are ready to run the test suite. If you're using GNU/Linux, Mac OS X or
 some other flavor of Unix, run: