diff --git a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
index 918d427ee4f4c..9bbf82b9d3d41 100644
--- a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
+++ b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+ [Add description of the problem and **why** this change is needed (what is the problem, how does this change fix that problem). This text ends up in the commit of the change and should help comprehend why a change was made, even years later.]
+ 
  - [ ] closes #xxxx
  - [ ] tests added / passed
  - [ ] passes ``git diff upstream/master | flake8 --diff``