diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index a79d5e65dcdf..abbb84f1dab2 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -85,8 +85,8 @@ A new release is [created automatically](.github/workflows/release.yml) once per
 ### Intellij IDEA
 * [Download Intellij Community](https://www.jetbrains.com/idea/download)
 * Install and run it
-* Install the [Scala Plugin](https://plugins.jetbrains.com/plugin/1347-scala) - just search and install from within Intellij
-* Important: run `sbt` in your local joern clone and keep it open - this will allow us to use the BSP build in the next step
+* Install the [Scala Plugin](https://plugins.jetbrains.com/plugin/1347-scala) - just search and install from within Intellij.
+* Important: open `sbt` in your local joern repository, run `compile` and keep it open - this will allow us to use the BSP build in the next step
 * Back to Intellij: open project: select your local joern clone: select to open as `BSP project` (i.e. _not_ `sbt project`!)
 * Await the import and indexing to complete, then you can start, e.g. `Build -> build project` or run a test