diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.rst b/CONTRIBUTING.rst
index 22c3ecefb6c..e7545ea8c60 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.rst
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.rst
@@ -244,6 +244,11 @@ Here is a simple overview, with pytest-specific bits:
    be released in micro releases whereas features will be released in
    minor releases and incompatible changes in major releases.
 
+   You will need the tags to test locally, so be sure you have the tags from the main repository. If you suspect you don't, set the main repository as upstream and fetch the tags::
+
+     $ git remote add upstream https://github.com/pytest-dev/pytest
+     $ git fetch upstream --tags
+
    If you need some help with Git, follow this quick start
    guide: https://git.wiki.kernel.org/index.php/QuickStart