diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 1347d7f..08238ae 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -329,6 +329,7 @@ The code should be compliant with the C99
 [CERT C coding standard](https://resources.sei.cmu.edu/downloads/secure-coding/assets/sei-cert-c-coding-standard-2016-v01.pdf).
 This can be checked with the `cppcheck` tool.
 
+If the configure can not find the hdf5 lib, check your $LIBRARY_PATH variable. Sometimes module only add the lib to the $LD_LIBRARY_PATH and forgot $LIBRARY_PATH.
 
 
 -----------------
diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index aad67a8..6b467c2 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -210,7 +210,7 @@ LIBS="${HDF5_LIBS} ${LIBS}"
 AS_IF([test "x$with_hdf5" != "xno"], [
   OLD_LIBS=$LIBS
   AC_CHECK_LIB([hdf5], [H5Fcreate], [], [
-    AC_MSG_ERROR([-lhdf5 fails, use ./configure --with-hdf5=...]) ])
+    AC_MSG_ERROR([-lhdf5 fails, use ./configure --with-hdf5=... OR check your $LIBRARY_PATH]) ])
   AC_CHECK_HEADER([hdf5.h], [], [
     AC_MSG_ERROR([hdf5.h not found, use ./configure --with-hdf5=...]) ])
   LIBS=$OLD_LIBS