diff --git a/docs/changelog/7.x.x.txt b/docs/changelog/7.x.x.txt
index 9f7180b1d..038bd09a5 100644
--- a/docs/changelog/7.x.x.txt
+++ b/docs/changelog/7.x.x.txt
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
  - fixed #12046: Empty AssetProxy creates infinite loop (Dale Trexel)
  - Metadata is now versioned
  - Metadata fields can be restricted by asset class
+ - fixed #12049: gotcha: 7.10.9 needs perl > 5.8.8   
 
 7.10.9
  - fixed #12030: Calendar Feed Time Zone Issue
diff --git a/docs/gotcha.txt b/docs/gotcha.txt
index a7b2f20d8..e425dff6c 100644
--- a/docs/gotcha.txt
+++ b/docs/gotcha.txt
@@ -11,6 +11,9 @@ save you many hours of grief.
 --------------------------------------------------------------------
     * Asset metadata is now versioned.
 
+    * The updated versions of HTML::Packer, JavaScript::Packer and CSS::Packer
+      added for 7.10.9 require perl 5.8.8 or higher to run.
+
 7.10.9
 --------------------------------------------------------------------
     * WebGUI now depends on Data::ICal for making and reading iCal feeds
diff --git a/sbin/testEnvironment.pl b/sbin/testEnvironment.pl
index c8b34632d..96bd89f7b 100755
--- a/sbin/testEnvironment.pl
+++ b/sbin/testEnvironment.pl
@@ -52,10 +52,10 @@ printResult($webguiRoot);
 ###################################
 
 printTest("Perl Interpreter");
-if ($] >= 5.008) {
+if ($] >= 5.008008) {
 	printResult("OK");
 } else {
-	failAndExit("Please upgrade to 5.8 or later! Cannot continue without Perl 5.8 or higher.");
+	failAndExit("Please upgrade to 5.8.8 or later! Cannot continue without Perl 5.8.8 or higher.");
 }
 
 ##Doing this as a global is not nice, but it works