diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 97ef35b..2920b5a 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -312,7 +312,17 @@ This performs the following sequence:
 git push --follow-tags origin
 ```
 
-This pushes both the new commit and the annotated tag. The tag is the source of truth for verification.
+**`--follow-tags` is critical.** Without it, only the commit is pushed — the annotated tag (with checksums) stays local. The release is incomplete until the tag is on the remote.
+
+### Forgot to use `--follow-tags`?
+
+If you already ran `git push` without it, push just the tag:
+
+```bash
+git push origin v1.1
+```
+
+The tag is the source of truth for verification. Without it on the remote, nobody can verify.
 
 ### Verify a release
 
diff --git a/scripts/release.sh b/scripts/release.sh
index cda0f0f..23a6020 100755
--- a/scripts/release.sh
+++ b/scripts/release.sh
@@ -229,9 +229,16 @@ echo "  BUILDNUM:       ${BUILDNUM} → ${NEXT_BUILDNUM}"
 echo "  Artifacts in:   ${DIST}/"
 echo "  Go version:     ${GO_VERSION}"
 echo ""
-echo "  To publish:"
+echo "  !!! IMPORTANT !!!"
+echo "  The tag '${TAG}' exists ONLY on your machine."
+echo "  It must be pushed separately to make it available."
+echo ""
+echo "  To publish the complete release:"
 echo "    git push --follow-tags origin"
 echo ""
+echo "  If you already pushed without --follow-tags:"
+echo "    git push origin ${TAG}"
+echo ""
 echo "  Artifacts:"
 ls -lh "${DIST}/" | sed 's/^/    /'
 echo "============================================"