diff --git a/specification/proposals_intro.rst b/specification/proposals_intro.rst
index cfa59b8f..cc4d5d22 100644
--- a/specification/proposals_intro.rst
+++ b/specification/proposals_intro.rst
@@ -30,9 +30,10 @@ The process for submitting a Matrix Spec Change (MSC) Proposal is as follows:
     <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CoLCPTcRFvD4PqjvbUl3ZIWgGLpmRNbqxsT2Tu7lCzI/>`_
     is available.
 
-- Make a new issue at https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-doc/issues (or
-  modify an existing one), whose description should list the metadata as per
-  below.
+- Make a new issue at https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-doc/issues, whose
+  description should list the metadata as per below. Use the github search
+  function to attempt to locate any related github issues, and link any that
+  are found in the body of the new issue.
 - Gather feedback as widely as possible from the community and core team on
   the proposal.