diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 296b46b..471a2ca 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -456,6 +456,9 @@ let g:matchup_matchparen_deferred = 1
 ```
 default: 0 (disabled)
 
+Note: this feature is only available if your vim version has `timers` and
+the function `timer_pause` (version 7.4.2180 and after).
+
 Adjust timeouts in milliseconds for deferred highlighting:
 ```vim
 let g:matchparen_matchparen_deferred_show_time = 50
diff --git a/autoload/matchup/matchparen.vim b/autoload/matchup/matchparen.vim
index abd05ee..dcca044 100644
--- a/autoload/matchup/matchparen.vim
+++ b/autoload/matchup/matchparen.vim
@@ -21,8 +21,13 @@ endfunction
 " }}}1
 
 function! matchup#matchparen#enable() " {{{1
-  if !has('timers')
+  if g:matchup_matchparen_deferred
+        \ && (!has('timers') || !exists('*timer_pause'))
     let g:matchup_matchparen_deferred = 0
+    echohl WarningMsg
+    echom "match-up's deferred highlighting feature is "
+          \ . 'not supported in your vim version'
+    echohl None
   endif
 
   augroup matchup_matchparen
diff --git a/doc/matchup.txt b/doc/matchup.txt
index bdf74e1..862717a 100644
--- a/doc/matchup.txt
+++ b/doc/matchup.txt
@@ -496,6 +496,9 @@ Module matchparen~
 
   Default: 0 (disabled)
 
+Note: this feature is only available if your vim version has |timers| and
+the function |timer_pause| (version 7.4.2180 and after).
+
 *g:matchparen_matchparen_deferred_show_time*
 *g:matchparen_matchparen_deferred_hide_time*