diff --git a/chapter05/gettext.xml b/chapter05/gettext.xml
index 378c1445a..a8b59ea1e 100644
--- a/chapter05/gettext.xml
+++ b/chapter05/gettext.xml
@@ -54,6 +54,15 @@ EMACS="no" ./configure --prefix=/tools --disable-shared</userinput></screen>
     <variablelist>
       <title>The meaning of the configure option:</title>
 
+      <varlistentry>
+        <term><parameter>EMACS="no"</parameter></term>
+        <listitem>
+          <para>This prevents the configure script from determining where to
+          install Emacs Lisp files as the test is known to hang on some hosts.
+          </para>
+        </listitem>
+      </varlistentry>
+
       <varlistentry>
         <term><parameter>--disable-shared</parameter></term>
         <listitem>