diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 050de0dda..d12941cc8 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -20,6 +20,12 @@ Check [here](./local-testnet/HOWTO.md)
 
 ## Building the source
 
+Before building, make sure all Git submodules are initialized. This repository includes submodules (e.g. `libs/fhevm-backend`) that are required for the build. Run the following command from the repository root:
+
+```shell
+git submodule update --init --recursive
+```
+
 For prerequisites and detailed build instructions please read the [Installation Instructions](https://geth.ethereum.org/docs/getting-started/installing-geth).
 
 Building `geth` requires both a Go (version 1.21 or later) and a C compiler. You can install
diff --git a/local-testnet/HOWTO.md b/local-testnet/HOWTO.md
index 1b64d0fb8..013321074 100644
--- a/local-testnet/HOWTO.md
+++ b/local-testnet/HOWTO.md
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
     1. This command will among other steps generate fhe keys in fhevm-keys
 
 > [!NOTE]
-> Be careful fhevm-go-copro expects fhe keys in FHEVM_GO_KEYS_DIR env variable, if this is already set globally it could potentially overwrite the env variable given to rpc node. 
+> Be careful! fhevm-go-copro expects FHE keys in the FHEVM_GO_KEYS_DIR environment variable. If this variable is already set globally, it could potentially overwrite the environment variable provided to the RPC node. 
 3. Check you have 4 tmux sessions
  ```bash
 tmux ls
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ val2: 1 windows (created Thu Apr 25 15:07:05 2024)
  tmux a -t rpc1
  ```
 
-5. Open **Metamask** and import a new account with the following pricate key:
+5. Open **Metamask** and import a new account with the following private key:
  `d4251c2bca983ae6d2e19e728ec7fd8b80002cde2ee5c21f3f243fad82852386`