diff --git a/scripts/bootstrap_history.py b/scripts/bootstrap_history.py
index eed422ca301..b0dc5e83c97 100644
--- a/scripts/bootstrap_history.py
+++ b/scripts/bootstrap_history.py
@@ -210,7 +210,6 @@ RELEASE_ISSUE_TEMPLATE = string.Template("""
 
     - [ ] Open PRs from your fork of branch ``version-${version}`` to upstream ``release_${version}`` and of ``version-${next_version}.dev`` to ``dev``.
     - [ ] Update ``next_milestone`` in [P4's configuration](https://github.com/galaxyproject/p4) to `${next_version}` so it properly tags new PRs.
-    - [ ] Set the ``release_${version}`` branch in GitHub [settings](https://github.com/galaxyproject/galaxy/settings/branches) as protected.
 
 - [ ] **Issue Review Timeline Notes**
     - [ ] Ensure any security fixes will be ready prior to ${freeze_date} + 1 week, to allow time for notification prior to release.