diff --git a/dist/atheme.motd.example b/dist/atheme.motd.example
index 073cebfe0c..fabddd6070 100644
--- a/dist/atheme.motd.example
+++ b/dist/atheme.motd.example
@@ -6,4 +6,5 @@ Channel registrations will expire after &chanexpiry& days.
 Registered users: &myusers&
 Registered channels: &mychans&
 
-Please /join #help for help.
+The services administrator can add additional information
+here such as where to get additional help with services.
diff --git a/src/Makefile.in b/src/Makefile.in
index 5565b53931..701a380e2b 100644
--- a/src/Makefile.in
+++ b/src/Makefile.in
@@ -167,6 +167,7 @@ install: build
 	$(INSTALL) -m 755 -c $(BIN) $(DESTDIR)$(bindir)
 	$(INSTALL) -m 600 -c ../dist/atheme.conf.example $(DESTDIR)$(sysconfdir)
 	$(INSTALL) -m 644 -c ../dist/atheme.motd.example $(DESTDIR)$(sysconfdir)
+	[ -r $(DESTDIR)$(sysconfdir)/atheme.motd ] || $(INSTALL) -m 644 -c ../dist/atheme.motd.example $(DESTDIR)$(sysconfdir)/atheme.motd || :
 	$(INSTALL) -m 600 -c ../dist/atheme.conf.userserv-example $(DESTDIR)$(sysconfdir)
 	$(INSTALL) -m 600 -c ../dist/atheme.conf.operserv-example $(DESTDIR)$(sysconfdir)
 	$(INSTALL) -m 644 -c ../dist/atheme.cron.example $(DESTDIR)$(sysconfdir)