diff --git a/doc/release-process.md b/doc/release-process.md
index ab0799c3ef..c8d4a408a6 100644
--- a/doc/release-process.md
+++ b/doc/release-process.md
@@ -89,7 +89,9 @@ Create the OS X SDK tarball, see the [OS X readme](README_osx.md) for details, a
 
 ### Optional: Seed the Gitian sources cache and offline git repositories
 
-By default, Gitian will fetch source files as needed. To cache them ahead of time:
+NOTE: Gitian is sometimes unable to download files. If you have errors, try the step below.
+
+By default, Gitian will fetch source files as needed. To cache them ahead of time, make sure you have checked out the tag you want to build in dash, then:
 
     pushd ./gitian-builder
     make -C ../dash/depends download SOURCES_PATH=`pwd`/cache/common