diff --git a/icu4c/packaging/debian/README b/icu4c/packaging/debian/README
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..e6982aaab0e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/icu4c/packaging/debian/README
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+The Debian packaging is in the debian directory at the toplevel of ICU's
+distribution.
+