diff --git a/doc/HOWTO-RELEASE b/doc/HOWTO-RELEASE
index 0f9f49b..2bc3de3 100644
--- a/doc/HOWTO-RELEASE
+++ b/doc/HOWTO-RELEASE
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ How to make a new release of GNU Stow
 
   - Tag the current git HEAD with the new version number:
 
-      git tag v7.8.9
+      git tag -s v7.8.9
 
   - Push HEAD and tag to savannah