diff --git a/scripts/depmod.sh b/scripts/depmod.sh
index e5f0aad75b96..e083bcae343f 100755
--- a/scripts/depmod.sh
+++ b/scripts/depmod.sh
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ DEPMOD=$1
 KERNELRELEASE=$2
 
 if ! test -r System.map ; then
+	echo "Warning: modules_install: missing 'System.map' file. Skipping depmod." >&2
 	exit 0
 fi