diff --git a/packages/learn/CONTRIBUTING.md b/packages/learn/CONTRIBUTING.md
index f11372c1bc..5033295835 100644
--- a/packages/learn/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/packages/learn/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -4,14 +4,23 @@ Prerequisites | Minimum Version
 |---|---|
 node | ^8.11.x
 [yarn](https://yarnpkg.com/en/) | ^1.3.0
+[freeCodeCamp](https://github.com/freecodecamp/freecodecamp) | Running Locally
 
+[freeCodeCamp/freeCodeCamp](https://github.com/freecodecamp/freecodecamp) currently holds the backend code for learn. The development process relies on this backend. You will see a message like below if you attemp to run `Learn` locally without it:
+
+```sh
+error UNHANDLED EXCEPTION
+
+  Error: connect ECONNREFUSED 127.0.0.1:3000
+
+error Command failed with exit code 1.
+```
 
 1. Fork the repo
 2. Clone locally
 3. `yarn install`
 4. `git checkout -b <your-branch-name>`
-5. `cp sample.env .env`
-6. `yarn develop`
+6. `yarn develop` (Be sure you have `freeCodeCamp` running locally as well)
 7. Make your changes
 8. Make a PR
 9. Bask in the glory of your accomplishments