diff --git a/.gitlab/issue_templates/release.md b/.gitlab/issue_templates/release.md
index cc5bc7ee8326d91bef908f5edda3b6ab846fd042..64765c75ec9b1238faa50b81e344c22b4effce47 100644
--- a/.gitlab/issue_templates/release.md
+++ b/.gitlab/issue_templates/release.md
@@ -1,5 +1,11 @@
 # Release checklist
 
+## Before finalizing release
+
+* [ ] Ensure all applications/dependencies/charts are at their latest versions
+      see `.gitlab/issue_templates/update_all_components.md`
+* [ ] Upgrade test from last version to `master` succeeds
+
 ## In the master branch before releasing
 
 * [ ] Create a MR for the master branch for the following changes: