diff --git a/docs/maintainers/handbook.md b/docs/maintainers/handbook.md
index 807b865..878b9c5 100644
--- a/docs/maintainers/handbook.md
+++ b/docs/maintainers/handbook.md
@@ -143,6 +143,8 @@ Here is a four step example how to add a new environment variable to a recipe wi
          - REQUIRE_AUTH_FOR_PROFILE_REQUESTS
          # ... other exisitng envs
    ```
+   
+   Note: If you need to break something, make sure to add a [release note](/maintainers/handbook/#how-do-i-write-version-release-notes) explaining to operators what they should change before upgrading.
 
 2. add env-var to the `.env.sample`
    ```yaml