diff --git a/doc/HOWTO-RELEASE b/doc/HOWTO-RELEASE
index 06eb4db..1837f0a 100644
--- a/doc/HOWTO-RELEASE
+++ b/doc/HOWTO-RELEASE
@@ -64,7 +64,7 @@ How to make a new release of GNU Stow
       # Check that the changes look OK
       cvs diff
       # Then commit
-      cvs commit
+      cvs commit -m 'Update manual to v7.8.9'
 
   - Run ./Build dist