diff --git a/sr/tools/inventory/inventory.py b/sr/tools/inventory/inventory.py
index 2e1cbd8..eff5219 100644
--- a/sr/tools/inventory/inventory.py
+++ b/sr/tools/inventory/inventory.py
@@ -205,10 +205,13 @@ class ItemTree:
     """
 
     special_fnames = {
+        'README.md': "README files are only allowed within plain directories; "
+                     "use the 'info' file within an asset directory to store "
+                     "general information",
         'info': "group 'info' files may only exist within directories "
         "which are themselves assets",
     }
-    ignore_fnames = ()
+    ignore_fnames = ('README.md',)
 
     def __init__(self, path, parent=None):
         """Create a new item tree."""