diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 7e46452..d539b7d 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -1,3 +1,6 @@
+# we create this for the release message
+releasenotes.md
+
 # Created by https://www.toptal.com/developers/gitignore/api/python,vim
 # Edit at https://www.toptal.com/developers/gitignore?templates=python,vim