diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 234ddaca..fb4ffb76 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -31,6 +31,47 @@ The sample controller uses [client-go library](https://github.com/kubernetes/cli
 The details of interaction points of the sample controller with various mechanisms from this library are
 explained [here](docs/controller-client-go.md).
 
+## Fetch sample-controller and its dependencies
+
+Like the rest of Kubernetes, sample-controller has used
+[godep](https://github.com/tools/godep) and `$GOPATH` for years and is
+now adopting go 1.11 modules.  There are thus two alternative ways to
+go about fetching this demo and its dependencies.
+
+### Fetch with godep
+
+When NOT using go 1.11 modules, you can use the following commands.
+
+```sh
+go get -d k8s.io/sample-controller
+cd $GOPATH/src/k8s.io/sample-controller
+godep restore
+```
+
+### When using go 1.11 modules
+
+When using go 1.11 modules (`GO111MODULE=on`), issue the following
+commands --- starting in whatever working directory you like.
+
+```sh
+git clone https://github.com/kubernetes/sample-controller.git
+cd sample-controller
+```
+
+Note, however, that if you intend to
+[generate code](#changes-to-the-types) then you will also need the
+code-generator repo to exist in an old-style location.  One easy way
+to do this is to use the command `go mod vendor` to create and
+populate the `vendor` directory.
+
+### A Note on kubernetes/kubernetes
+
+If you are developing Kubernetes according to
+https://github.com/kubernetes/community/blob/master/contributors/guide/github-workflow.md
+then you already have a copy of this demo in
+`kubernetes/staging/src/k8s.io/sample-controller` and its dependencies
+--- including the code generator --- are in usable locations
+(valid for all Go versions).
 
 ## Purpose
 
@@ -42,8 +83,6 @@ This is an example of how to build a kube-like controller with a single type.
 
 ```sh
 # assumes you have a working kubeconfig, not required if operating in-cluster
-go get k8s.io/sample-controller
-cd $GOPATH/src/k8s.io/sample-controller
 go build -o sample-controller .
 ./sample-controller -kubeconfig=$HOME/.kube/config