diff --git a/debian/changelog b/debian/changelog
index 42f37e572e..2c289667d5 100644
--- a/debian/changelog
+++ b/debian/changelog
@@ -1,3 +1,9 @@
+git-annex (3.20120625) UNRELEASED; urgency=low
+
+  * cabal: Only try to use inotify on Linux.
+
+ -- Joey Hess <joeyh@debian.org>  Mon, 25 Jun 2012 11:38:12 -0400
+
 git-annex (3.20120624) unstable; urgency=low
 
   * watch: New subcommand, a daemon which notices changes to
diff --git a/git-annex.cabal b/git-annex.cabal
index 3902a077b5..b437057939 100644
--- a/git-annex.cabal
+++ b/git-annex.cabal
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ Executable git-annex
     Build-Depends: hS3
     CPP-Options: -DWITH_S3
 
-  if flag(Inotify)
+  if os(linux) && flag(Inotify)
     Build-Depends: hinotify
     CPP-Options: -DWITH_INOTIFY