diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 6d8c340e1..ef8480590 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@
 *.dll
 *.so
 *.dylib
+*~
+.pc
 
 # Test binary, built with `go test -c`
 *.test
diff --git a/debian/README.md b/debian/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..82e43e9fb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/debian/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+
+# Building Debian/Ubuntu packages
+
+It is not recommended to build your own packages for production environments.
+
+However, if you want to experiment and contribute:
+
+* Update the changelog (at least give it a correct version number)
+* Run "QUILT_PATCHES=debian/patches quilt push -a && quilt refresh"
+
+We do the above in the build pipeline, so you'll have to do it manually before running:
+
+* dpkg-buildpackage -uc -us -b
+