diff --git a/qutebrowser/browser/pdfjs.py b/qutebrowser/browser/pdfjs.py
index a52a205a6..1c721979f 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/browser/pdfjs.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/browser/pdfjs.py
@@ -91,6 +91,7 @@ def fix_urls(asset):
 SYSTEM_PDFJS_PATHS = [
     '/usr/share/pdf.js/',  # Debian pdf.js-common
     '/usr/share/javascript/pdf/',  # Debian libjs-pdf
+    os.path.expanduser('~/.local/share/qutebrowser/pdfjs/'),  # fallback
 ]
 
 
diff --git a/qutebrowser/html/no_pdfjs.html b/qutebrowser/html/no_pdfjs.html
index fcfc1d3f8..694affc4d 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/html/no_pdfjs.html
+++ b/qutebrowser/html/no_pdfjs.html
@@ -34,6 +34,11 @@ body {
   width: 100%;
 }
 
+span.warning {
+  text-weigth: bold;
+  color: red;
+}
+
 td {
   margin-top: 20px;
   color: #555;
@@ -99,6 +104,18 @@ li {
             You can use the <code>scripts/dev/update_3rdparty.py</code> script
             to download the latest version.
           </li>
+
+          <li>
+            You can manually download the pdf.js archive
+            <a href="https://mozilla.github.io/pdf.js/getting_started/#download">here</a>
+            and extract it to <code>~/.local/share/qutebrowser/pdfjs</code>
+            <br>
+            <span class="warning">Warning:</span> Using this method you are
+            responsible for yourself to keep the installation updated! If a
+            vulnerability is found in pdf.js, neither qutebrowser nor your
+            system's package manager will update your pdf.js installation.
+            Use it at your own risk!
+          </li>
         </ul>
 
         <p>