diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index dc9c99b..88a09db 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -56,6 +56,18 @@ sh ~/nvim-config/bootstrap.sh
 
 ## Gentoo
 
+If `emerge` complains about missing `/var/db/repos/gentoo` or `make.profile` is invalid, fix Portage first:
+
+```bash
+sudo mkdir -p /etc/portage/repos.conf
+sudo cp /usr/share/portage/config/repos.conf /etc/portage/repos.conf/gentoo.conf
+sudo emerge-webrsync
+sudo eselect profile list
+sudo eselect profile set <number>
+```
+
+Then install the editor deps:
+
 ```bash
 sudo mkdir -p /etc/portage/package.use
 printf '%s\n' 'net-libs/nodejs npm' | sudo tee /etc/portage/package.use/nvim-config-nodejs
diff --git a/bootstrap.sh b/bootstrap.sh
index bd47aae..3677d59 100755
--- a/bootstrap.sh
+++ b/bootstrap.sh
@@ -41,6 +41,16 @@ install_deps() {
 	fi
 
 	if command -v emerge >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+		if ! emerge --info >/dev/null 2>&1; then
+			echo 'Gentoo Portage is not initialized enough for this bootstrap.' >&2
+			echo 'Run these first, then re-run bootstrap.sh:' >&2
+			echo '  sudo mkdir -p /etc/portage/repos.conf' >&2
+			echo '  sudo cp /usr/share/portage/config/repos.conf /etc/portage/repos.conf/gentoo.conf' >&2
+			echo '  sudo emerge-webrsync' >&2
+			echo '  sudo eselect profile list' >&2
+			echo '  sudo eselect profile set <number>' >&2
+			exit 1
+		fi
 		sudo mkdir -p /etc/portage/package.use
 		printf '%s\n' 'net-libs/nodejs npm' | sudo tee /etc/portage/package.use/nvim-config-nodejs >/dev/null
 		sudo emerge --ask dev-vcs/git app-editors/neovim net-libs/nodejs sys-apps/ripgrep