diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 57b2b1a5b909d..d1a359e7b6bea 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -13,6 +13,11 @@
 
 You need to have [Java](http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html) installed.
 
+Check your Java version:
+```bash
+java -version
+```
+
 We build and test Apache Kafka with 17 and 25. The `release` parameter in javac is set to `11` for the clients 
 and streams modules, and `17` for the rest, ensuring compatibility with their respective
 minimum Java versions. Similarly, the `release` parameter in scalac is set to `11` for the streams modules and `17`