diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index c5c3f271..00f9477d 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ check:
 publish: cythonize
 	# Merge release to master branch
 	git checkout master
-	git merge --no-ff release/$(VERSION) -m 'Merge branch release/$(VERSION)'
+	git merge --no-ff release/$(VERSION) -m "Merge branch 'release/$(VERSION)' into master"
 	git push origin master
 	# Create and upload tag
 	git tag -a $(VERSION) -m 'version $(VERSION)'