diff --git a/GNUmakefile b/GNUmakefile
index 1dd02fda..74d7fa35 100644
--- a/GNUmakefile
+++ b/GNUmakefile
@@ -1,9 +1,19 @@
+install_list := solo5 ocaml-solo5 mkernel mnet
 pin_list := "git+https://github.com/mirage/Zarith.git#zarith-1.14"
 vendor_list := mkernel miou zarith
 
 secmod_fat=secrets/secmod.fat
 tap_device=tap-mte
 
+
+check-kvm:
+	$(if $(wildcard /dev/kvm),,$(error KVM support not enabled))
+
+installs:
+	@for v in $(install_list); do \
+	  opam install $v
+	done
+
 pins:
 	@for v in $(pin_list); do \
 	  opam pin $v