diff --git a/INSTALL b/INSTALL
index 5df9b09..39af571 100644
--- a/INSTALL
+++ b/INSTALL
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ To use git-crypt, you need:
   Git 1.7.2 or newer            git                     git
   OpenSSL                       openssl                 openssl
 
+Note: Git 1.8.5 or newer is recommended for best performance.
+
 
 BUILDING GIT-CRYPT
 
diff --git a/INSTALL.md b/INSTALL.md
index b129565..5c8f592 100644
--- a/INSTALL.md
+++ b/INSTALL.md
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ To use git-crypt, you need:
 Git 1.7.2 or newer         | git                   | git
 OpenSSL                    | openssl               | openssl
 
+Note: Git 1.8.5 or newer is recommended for best performance.
+
 
 ### Building git-crypt