diff --git a/.github/CONTRIBUTING.md b/.github/CONTRIBUTING.md
index c68a67e1e..b91fe2e49 100644
--- a/.github/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/.github/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ If you wish to contribute a new linter, the [Creating new linters](https://lintr
 
 *   Create a Git branch for your pull request (PR). We recommend using `usethis::pr_init("brief-description-of-change")`. At a minimum, please avoid submitting PRs from your fork's `main` branch` as this can make the review process more complicated.
 
-*   Make your changes, commit them to Git, and create a PR using `usethis::pr_push()`. Follow the prompts in your browser to complete the process. Use a concise title for your PR that summarizes the change, and include `Fixes #issue-number` in the PR description.
+*   Make your changes, commit them to Git, and create a PR using `usethis::pr_push()`. Follow the prompts in your browser to complete the process. Use a concise title for your PR that summarizes the change, and include `Fixes #issue-number` in the PR _description_. Doing so will automatically close the linked issue when the PR is merged.
 
 *  For user-facing changes, add a bullet appropriately in the top section of `NEWS.md` (i.e. below the first header). Follow the style described in <https://style.tidyverse.org/news.html>.