diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 29815fad..6afbaf3a 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ notes: check-bump
 	towncrier build --yes --version $(UPCOMING_VERSION)
 	# Before we bump the version, make sure that the towncrier-generated docs will build
 	make build-docs
-	git commit -m "Compile release notes"
+	git commit -m "Compile release notes for v$(UPCOMING_VERSION)"
 
 release: check-bump clean
 	# require that upstream is configured for ethereum/<REPO_NAME>