diff --git a/NEWS.md b/NEWS.md
index d7c7a2376..5bf4b6566 100644
--- a/NEWS.md
+++ b/NEWS.md
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 # usethis (development version)
 
+* add a translation tasks paragraph in `use_release_issue()` (#2099 @cregouby)
+
 # usethis 3.1.0
 
 * `use_vignette()` and `use_article()` support Quarto. The `name` of the new
diff --git a/R/release.R b/R/release.R
index 6f2196245..0214d2452 100644
--- a/R/release.R
+++ b/R/release.R
@@ -79,6 +79,7 @@ release_checklist <- function(version, on_cran, target_repo = NULL) {
   has_github_links <- has_github_links(target_repo)
   is_posit_pkg <- is_posit_pkg()
   milestone_num <- gh_milestone_number(target_repo, version)
+  has_translation <- dir_exists(proj_path("po"))
 
   c(
     if (!on_cran) c(
@@ -94,6 +95,14 @@ release_checklist <- function(version, on_cran, target_repo = NULL) {
       todo("Review <https://github.com/DavisVaughan/extrachecks>"),
       ""
     ),
+    if (has_translation) c(
+      "Update messages translation:",
+      "",
+      todo("Update `po/R-{project_name()}.pot` file with `potools::po_update()`"),
+      todo("Contact translators to collect their translation `.po` files"),
+      todo("Compile the translations with `potools::po_compile()`"),
+      ""
+    ),
     "Prepare for release:",
     "",
     todo("`git pull`"),