diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index ebbffedb8aad80..5e9d0835992f14 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -432,6 +432,7 @@ $(TARBALL): release-only $(NODE_EXE) doc
 	rm -rf $(TARNAME)/deps/uv/{docs,samples,test}
 	rm -rf $(TARNAME)/deps/openssl/{doc,demos,test}
 	rm -rf $(TARNAME)/deps/zlib/contrib # too big, unused
+	rm -rf $(TARNAME)/.github # github issue templates
 	find $(TARNAME)/ -type l | xargs rm # annoying on windows
 	tar -cf $(TARNAME).tar $(TARNAME)
 	rm -rf $(TARNAME)