diff --git a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
index df9d99b9..0bc56c86 100644
--- a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
+++ b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
 ## Contributor Checklist:
 
-* [ ] I have created a file in the `doc/newsfragments` directory (and read the `README.md` in that directory)
+* [ ] I have created a file in the `doc/newsfragments` directory *IF* it is a
+      user-visible change (and make sure to read the `README.md` in that directory)