diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index bdaf5aac9..b0acd8962 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -19,7 +19,9 @@ to compile anywhere, and this is as good a way as any to try and learn it.
 Contribute
 ----------
 
-Contributions are very welcome.  You may *claim* an item on the to-do list by following these steps:
+Contributions are very welcome, and should target rust's master branch until
+rust 1.0 is released. You may *claim* an item on the to-do list by following
+these steps:
 
 1. Open an issue named "Implement [the utility of your choice]", e.g. "Implement ls"
 2. State that you are working on this utility.