diff --git a/scikits/image/_build.py b/scikits/image/_build.py
index 94f37d6c..45dd44c5 100644
--- a/scikits/image/_build.py
+++ b/scikits/image/_build.py
@@ -19,7 +19,8 @@ def cython(pyx_files, working_path=''):
     except ImportError:
         # If cython is not found, we do nothing -- the build will make use of
         # the distributed .c files
-        pass
+        print("Cython not found; falling back to pre-built %s" \
+              % " ".join([f.replace('.pyx', '.c') for f in pyx_files]))
     else:
         for pyxfile in [os.path.join(working_path, f) for f in pyx_files]:
             # make a backup of the good c files