diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/1-bug-report.yml b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/1-bug-report.yml
index 234743d4b9..846e59a58b 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/1-bug-report.yml
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/1-bug-report.yml
@@ -7,13 +7,13 @@ body:
       value: |
         Thanks for helping us improve Buf by filing bugs, we really appreciate it! For us to investigate your issue efficiently, we need a minimal reproducible example. We get lots of support requests, so please help us help you. We find that the easiest way to do this is by linking to a GitHub repository with the setup of the example, as well as a set of commands for us to run on this GitHub repository to reproduce the issue. You can use an existing GitHub repository, or a temporary GitHub repository you create.
 
-        **If you do not provide a minimal reproducible example in a GitHub repository, we may have to close your issue. We apologize, but we have to be efficient with our support requests, and we appreciate your help.**
+        **If you do not provide a minimal reproducible example in a GitHub repository, we will likely close your issue until a reproducible example is provided. We apologize, but we have to be efficient with our support requests, and we appreciate your help.**
 
         [This article](https://stackoverflow.com/help/minimal-reproducible-example) on minimal reproducible examples may be of use!
   - type: input
     id: github-repository
     attributes:
-      label: GitHub repository with your minimal reproducible example (do not fill out this field with "github.com/bufbuild/buf" or we will automatically close your issue, see the instructions above!)
+      label: GitHub repository with your minimal reproducible example (do not leave this field blank or fill out this field with "github.com/bufbuild/buf" or we will automatically close your issue, see the instructions above!)
       description: Provide us with a link to the GitHub repository that contains the setup needed to reproduce the issue. This is a repository you create, and is required for us to investigate your issue.
       placeholder: https://github.com/you/temp-repo-with-repro
     validations:
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/3-other.yml b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/3-other.yml
index 57e28d8028..6e59e4cee3 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/3-other.yml
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/3-other.yml
@@ -8,13 +8,13 @@ body:
 
         If this is a question about some behavior you are witnessing, we will need a minimal reproducible example. We get lots of support requests, so please help us help you. We find that the easiest way to do this is by linking to a GitHub repository with the setup of the example, as well as a set of commands for us to run on this GitHub repository to reproduce the issue. You can use an existing GitHub repository, or a temporary GitHub repository you create.
 
-        **If this is a question about some behavior you are witnessing, and you do not provide a minimal reproducible example in a GitHub repository, we may have to close your issue. We apologize, but we have to be efficient with our support requests, and we appreciate your help.**
+        **If this is a question about some behavior you are witnessing, and you do not provide a minimal reproducible example in a GitHub repository, we will likely close your issue until a reproducible example is provided. We apologize, but we have to be efficient with our support requests, and we appreciate your help.**
 
         [This article](https://stackoverflow.com/help/minimal-reproducible-example) on minimal reproducible examples may be of use!
   - type: input
     id: github-repository
     attributes:
-      label: GitHub repository with your minimal reproducible example (do not fill out this field with "github.com/bufbuild/buf" or we will automatically close your issue, see the instructions above!)
+      label: GitHub repository with your minimal reproducible example (do not leave this field blank or fill out this field with "github.com/bufbuild/buf" or we will automatically close your issue, see the instructions above!)
       description: If this is a question about some behavior you are witnessing, provide us with a link to the GitHub repository that contains the setup needed to reproduce the issue. This is a repository you create, and is required for us to investigate your issue.
       placeholder: https://github.com/you/temp-repo-with-repro
   - type: textarea