diff --git a/install.sh b/install.sh
index 110823d..a789721 100755
--- a/install.sh
+++ b/install.sh
@@ -99,6 +99,14 @@ function optional_bash_reload {
   fi
 }
 
+function warn_on_gitconfig_missing {
+  if [[ ! -f $HOME/.gitconfig ]]; then
+    echo 'WARNING: git config missing'
+    echo 'before creating a rails project, you should probably configure some user settings:'
+    echo '  git config --global --edit'
+  fi
+}
+
 # MAIN
 
 set -Eue
@@ -108,4 +116,5 @@ install_mise
 install_ruby
 install_rails_templating
 
+warn_on_gitconfig_missing
 optional_bash_reload