diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE.md
index 696b4a6e6d..51e442d27d 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE.md
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE.md
@@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
-[*Please include a short description of problem here*]
+*Please include a short description of problem here*
 
 **I hereby confirm that I have:**
 
-- [ ] Tried to solve the issue on my own
-- [ ] Retried to run my code with the latest version of The COBRA Toolbox
-- [ ] Checked that a similar issue has not already been opened
+- [] Tried to solve the issue on my own
+- [] Retried to run my code with the latest version of The COBRA Toolbox
+- [] Checked that a similar issue has not already been opened
+
+*(Note: You may replace [] with [X] to check the box)*
diff --git a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
index 021c4fbe2d..2656a3d622 100644
--- a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
+++ b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
@@ -1,10 +1,9 @@
-[*Please include a short description of enhancement here*]
-
+*Please include a short description of enhancement here*
 
 **I hereby confirm that I have:**
 
-- [ ] Tested my code on my own machine
-- [ ] Followed the guidelines in the [Contributing Guide](https://opencobra.github.io/cobratoolbox/docs/contributing.html)
-- [ ] Selected `develop` as a target branch (top left drop-down menu)
+- [] Tested my code on my own machine
+- [] Followed the guidelines in the [Contributing Guide](https://opencobra.github.io/cobratoolbox/docs/contributing.html)
+- [] Selected `develop` as a target branch (top left drop-down menu)
 
-*(Note: You may replace [ ] with [X] to check the box)*
+*(Note: You may replace [] with [X] to check the box)*