diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 68bcf63..1d1f584 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -61,6 +61,17 @@ Make sure all dependencies have been installed before moving on:
 - [Node.js](http://nodejs.org/) >= 16
 - [Yarn](https://yarnpkg.com/en/docs/install)
 
+### Acorn
+
+Although Sage makes use of Acorn, it doesn't ship with it included. This is to give you the flexibility to include it in a way that works best for your environment.
+
+- **[Bedrock](https://github.com/roots/bedrock)** is the recommended way to manage your WordPress installation, themes, and plugins. If you're using Bedrock, you only need to require Acorn as a composer dependency in your Bedrock `composer.json`:
+  ```sh
+  $ composer require roots/acorn
+  ```
+- If Bedrock isn't feasible, then the next best approach is to install Acorn as an **mu-plugin**. This guarantees that it will always be available and someone won't accidentally disable it and break your site. Add the Acorn directory to your `mu-plugins` directory, and make sure you have something to load it automatically, like our [`bedrock-autoloader`](https://github.com/roots/bedrock-autoloader).
+- If neither of the preceding options is workable for you, then Acorn can always be installed as a **normal plugin** by putting the Acorn directory in your `plugins` folder. Just remember to activate it!
+
 ## Theme installation
 
 **The `main` branch currently tracks Sage 10 which is in active development. Looking for Sage 9 or the latest Sage 10 beta release? [See releases](https://github.com/roots/sage/releases).**
@@ -78,6 +89,8 @@ To install the latest development version of Sage, add `dev-main` to the end of
 $ composer create-project roots/sage your-theme-name dev-main
 ```
 
+Make sure that you have Acorn installed. See the "Acorn" section above for instructions.
+
 ## Theme structure
 
 ```sh
diff --git a/composer.json b/composer.json
index b1cab52..d69f22b 100644
--- a/composer.json
+++ b/composer.json
@@ -39,8 +39,7 @@
     }
   },
   "require": {
-    "php": "^7.4|^8.0",
-    "roots/acorn": "v2.0.0-beta.9"
+    "php": "^7.4|^8.0"
   },
   "require-dev": {
     "filp/whoops": "^2.12",
diff --git a/functions.php b/functions.php
index 9ada67d..691963d 100644
--- a/functions.php
+++ b/functions.php
@@ -29,7 +29,13 @@ require $composer;
 |
 */
 
-\Roots\bootloader();
+try {
+    \Roots\bootloader();
+} catch (Throwable $e) {
+    wp_die(
+        __('You need to install Acorn to use this theme.', 'sage')
+    );
+}
 
 /*
 |--------------------------------------------------------------------------