diff --git a/Makefile.inc b/Makefile.inc
index f8c4deb2ac..72a3b55017 100644
--- a/Makefile.inc
+++ b/Makefile.inc
@@ -231,6 +231,10 @@ lint:
 	test $$FAILED -eq 0 || { echo "ERROR: $$FAILED test(s) failed." &&  exit 1; }; \
 	rm -f $$LINTLOG
 
+gitconfig:
+	if ! [ -x .git/hooks/commit-msg ]; then wget -O .git/hooks/commit-msg http://review.coreboot.org/tools/hooks/commit-msg; chmod +x .git/hooks/commit-msg; fi
+	(git config --global user.name >/dev/null && git config --global user.email >/dev/null) || (printf 'Please configure your name and email in git:\n\n git config --global user.name "Your Name Comes Here"\n git config --global user.email your.email@example.com\n'; exit 1)
+
 crossgcc: clean-for-update
 	$(MAKE) -C util/crossgcc build