diff --git a/.gitlab/issue_templates/release.md b/.gitlab/issue_templates/release.md
index 57805a24a13fee4b1fdec9ba7e33a94af17b79ce..14a420781cfb331b2bf3fedde130cc373671ad0a 100644
--- a/.gitlab/issue_templates/release.md
+++ b/.gitlab/issue_templates/release.md
@@ -2,19 +2,16 @@
 
 ## Changes to do on the master branch before releasing
 
-Create a MR for the master branch with the following changes:
-
+* [ ] Create a MR for the master branch for the following changes:
 * update/review `docs/*` and make sure it matches the current state
   * [ ] Update how to checkout the latest stable tag
   * [ ] Document how to upgrade in `docs/upgrade.md`
-* [ ] Update dependencies in `requirements-stable.txt`
-  1. Create a new `virtualenv` and activate it
-  2. Run `pip3 install -r requirements.txt`
-  3. Run `pip3 freeze > requirements-stable.txt`
+* [ ] Update dependencies in `requirements-stable.txt` by following the
+      instructions in `requirements.in`
 * [ ] update [CHANGELOG.md](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.0.0/)
-  * Include `Known issues`
+  * [ ] Include `Known issues`
 * [ ] update the version number in the `VERSION` file
-  * [ ] commit (signed)
+* [ ] commit (signed)
 * [ ] Push to MR
 * [ ] Wait for MR to get merged into master