diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index a9ddc8777..41181a9c0 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ For a self-hosted production installation there is more flexibility, but these a
    > Requires [Node.js, npm](https://nodejs.org/) and [yarn](https://yarnpkg.com) installed
 
 1. Build the web app with `yarn build:webpack` or `npm run build:webpack`
-1. Copy the file `.env.sample` to `.env` and fill out at least the essential fields:
+1. Using the `.env.sample` as a reference, set the required variables in your production environment. The following are required as a minimum:
     1. `SECRET_KEY` (follow instructions in the comments of `.env`)
     1. `SLACK_KEY` (this is called "Client ID" in Slack admin)
     1. `SLACK_SECRET`