diff --git a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
index 9f58cc88c..786606809 100644
--- a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
+++ b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
@@ -16,8 +16,12 @@
 
 ### Checklists
 
-Not all of these steps are necessary for every PR.
+<!-- Note on checklists:
+     If you think some of these steps are not necessary for your PR,
+     just remove those checkboxes, or mark them as checked. Otherwise,
+     if some checkboxes are left unmarked, we might assume that your PR
+     is not ready to be merged and we might keep you waiting -->
 
-- [ ] Add a [CHANGELOG](https://github.com/pyodide/pyodide/blob/main/docs/project/changelog.md) entry or explain why an entry is not needed
+- [ ] Add a [CHANGELOG](https://github.com/pyodide/pyodide/blob/main/docs/project/changelog.md) entry
 - [ ] Add / update tests
 - [ ] Add new / update outdated documentation