diff --git a/.github/pull_request_template.md b/.github/pull_request_template.md
index 04188b0..08051ac 100644
--- a/.github/pull_request_template.md
+++ b/.github/pull_request_template.md
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 <!-- We recommend you review the checklist/tips before submitting a pull request. -->
 
 - [ ] Did you create an [Apache Jira](https://issues.apache.org/jira/projects/THRIFT/issues/) ticket?  (not required for trivial changes)
-- [ ] Does your pull request title follow the pattern "THRIFT-NNNN: describe my issue"?  (not required for trivial changes)
+- [ ] If a ticket exists: Does your pull request title follow the pattern "THRIFT-NNNN: describe my issue"?
 - [ ] Did you squash your changes to a single commit?  (not required, but preferred)
 - [ ] Did you do your best to avoid breaking changes?  If one was needed, did you label the Jira ticket with "Breaking-Change"?
 - [ ] If your change does not involve any code, add ` [skip ci]` at the end of your pull request to free up build resources.