diff --git a/docs/RELEASE_ISSUE_TEMPLATE.md b/docs/RELEASE_ISSUE_TEMPLATE.md
index 8802bd46a19..a222f452470 100644
--- a/docs/RELEASE_ISSUE_TEMPLATE.md
+++ b/docs/RELEASE_ISSUE_TEMPLATE.md
@@ -94,6 +94,7 @@ Checklist:
   - [ ] Prepare changelog proposal in [docs/changelogs/vX.Y.md](https://github.com/ipfs/kubo/blob/master/docs/changelogs/).
     - Skip filling out the `### Changelog` section (the one where which lists all the commits and contributors) for now. We will populate it after the release branch is cut.
     - PR link:
+  - [ ] Ensure the new changelog is linked in the [CHANGELOG.md](CHANGELOG.md) file.
   - [ ] Install ZSH ([instructions](https://github.com/ohmyzsh/ohmyzsh/wiki/Installing-ZSH#install-and-set-up-zsh-as-default)). It is needed by the changelog creation script.
   - [ ] Ensure you have `kubo` checked out under `$(go env GOPATH)/src/github.com/ipfs/kubo`. This is required by the changelog creation script.
     - If you want your clone to live in a different location, you can symlink it to the expected location by running `mkdir -p $(go env GOPATH)/src/github.com/ipfs && ln -s $(pwd) $(go env GOPATH)/src/github.com/ipfs/kubo`.