diff --git a/docs/changelog.txt b/docs/changelog.txt
index b46eddc98..0121e9e5c 100644
--- a/docs/changelog.txt
+++ b/docs/changelog.txt
@@ -78,6 +78,7 @@ Template for new versions:
 - `sort`: added help button for squad assignment search/filter/sort
 - `zone`: animals trained for war or hunting are now labeled as such in animal assignment screens
 - `buildingplan`: support filtering cages by whether they are occupied
+- `buildingplan`: show how many items you need to make when planning buildings
 
 ## Documentation
 - unavailable tools are no longer listed in the tag indices in the online docs
diff --git a/plugins/buildingplan/buildingplan.cpp b/plugins/buildingplan/buildingplan.cpp
index 540420749..9fb5641bb 100644
--- a/plugins/buildingplan/buildingplan.cpp
+++ b/plugins/buildingplan/buildingplan.cpp
@@ -677,7 +677,7 @@ static int scanAvailableItems(color_ostream &out, df::building_type type, int16_
         int32_t custom, int index, bool ignore_filters, vector<int> *item_ids = NULL,
         map<MaterialInfo, int32_t> *counts = NULL) {
     DEBUG(status,out).print(
-            "entering countAvailableItems building_type=%d subtype=%d custom=%d index=%d\n",
+            "entering scanAvailableItems building_type=%d subtype=%d custom=%d index=%d\n",
             type, subtype, custom, index);
     BuildingTypeKey key(type, subtype, custom);
     HeatSafety heat = get_heat_safety_filter(key);
@@ -755,7 +755,30 @@ static int countAvailableItems(color_ostream &out, df::building_type type, int16
     DEBUG(status,out).print(
             "entering countAvailableItems building_type=%d subtype=%d custom=%d index=%d\n",
             type, subtype, custom, index);
-    return scanAvailableItems(out, type, subtype, custom, index, false);
+    int count = scanAvailableItems(out, type, subtype, custom, index, false);
+    if (count)
+        return count;
+
+    // nothing in stock; return how many are waiting in line as a negative
+    BuildingTypeKey key(type, subtype, custom);
+    auto &job_items = get_job_items(out, key);
+    if (index < 0 || job_items.size() <= (size_t)index)
+        return 0;
+    auto &jitem = job_items[index];
+
+    for (auto &entry : planned_buildings) {
+        auto &pb = entry.second;
+        // don't actually remove bad buildings from the list while we're
+        // actively iterating through that list
+        auto bld = pb.getBuildingIfValidOrRemoveIfNot(out, true);
+        if (!bld || bld->jobs.size() != 1)
+            continue;
+        for (auto pb_jitem : bld->jobs[0]->job_items) {
+            if (pb_jitem->item_type == jitem->item_type && pb_jitem->item_subtype == jitem->item_subtype)
+                count -= pb_jitem->quantity;
+        }
+    }
+    return count;
 }
 
 static bool hasFilter(color_ostream &out, df::building_type type, int16_t subtype, int32_t custom, int index) {
diff --git a/plugins/lua/buildingplan/planneroverlay.lua b/plugins/lua/buildingplan/planneroverlay.lua
index bdd0008f8..6241ff219 100644
--- a/plugins/lua/buildingplan/planneroverlay.lua
+++ b/plugins/lua/buildingplan/planneroverlay.lua
@@ -295,9 +295,12 @@ function ItemLine:get_item_line_text()
     if self.available >= quantity then
         self.note_pen = COLOR_GREEN
         self.note = ' Available now'
+    elseif self.available >= 0 then
+        self.note_pen = COLOR_BROWN
+        self.note = (' Will link next (need to make %d)'):format(quantity - self.available)
     else
         self.note_pen = COLOR_BROWN
-        self.note = ' Will link later'
+        self.note = (' Will link later (need to make %d)'):format(-self.available + quantity)
     end
     self.note = string.char(192) .. self.note -- character 192 is "└"
 
@@ -318,7 +321,7 @@ function ItemLine:reduce_quantity(used_quantity)
     if not self.available then return end
     local filter = get_cur_filters()[self.idx]
     used_quantity = used_quantity or get_quantity(filter, self.is_hollow_fn())
-    self.available = math.max(0, self.available - used_quantity)
+    self.available = self.available - used_quantity
 end
 
 local function get_placement_errors()