diff --git a/doc/dev/releasechecklist b/doc/dev/releasechecklist
index 19ab7b18..3473ae0f 100755
--- a/doc/dev/releasechecklist
+++ b/doc/dev/releasechecklist
@@ -15,11 +15,21 @@ changelog_version=$(grep '^[[:digit:]]' doc/changelog | head -n1 | sed 's/:.*//'
 #git_version=$(git describe)
 lib_version=$(grep ^VERSION lib/cdist/__init__.py | sed -e 's/.*= //' -e 's/"//g')
 
+# get date
+date_today="$(date +%Y-%m-%d)"
+date_changelogn=$(grep '^[[:digit:]]' doc/changelog | head -n1 | sed 's/.*: //')
+
 echo "Ensure you fixed/prepared version files: $files"
 echo "changelog: $changelog_version"
 #echo "git: $git_version"
 echo "lib: $lib_version"
 
+if [ "$date_today" != "$date_changelog" ]; then
+    echo "Messed up date, not releasing:"
+    echo "Changelog: $date_changelog"
+    exit 1
+fi
+
 if [ "$lib_version" != "$changelog_version" ]; then
     echo "Messed up versions, not releasing"
     exit 1