diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 8907cc98c..5e161e8e0 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -22,7 +22,10 @@ use [Gerrit](https://boringssl-review.googlesource.com) for this purpose.
 If you have not done so on this machine, you will need to set up a password for
 Gerrit. Sign in with a Google account, visit
 [this link](https://boringssl.googlesource.com/), and click the "Generate
-Password" link in the top right. You will also need to prepare your checkout to
+Password" link in the top right. You must also have a Gerrit account associated with
+your Google account.  To do this visit the [Gerrit review server](https://boringssl-review.googlesource.com)
+and click "Sign in" (top right).
+You will also need to prepare your checkout to
 [add Change-Ids](https://gerrit-review.googlesource.com/Documentation/cmd-hook-commit-msg.html)
 on commit. Run: