diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index c3c00e948..f2cbf826a 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ release: clean
 	make force_release
 
 force_release: clean
+	# IF we're in a virtual environment, add build tools
+	test -z "$$VIRTUAL_ENV" || pip install -U build twine
 	python3 -m build --sdist --wheel
 	twine upload dist/*
 	git push --tags origin main
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 4ff04c2e4..ca470a851 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -188,13 +188,15 @@ Please have a look at the [contributions file][contributing].
 
 ### How to make a new release
 
-- Update/verify the **version** in the `VERSION` file
-- Update/verify that the `doc/source/changes.rst` changelog file was updated
-- Commit everything
-- Run `git tag -s <version>` to tag the version in Git
-- Run `make release`
+- Update/verify the **version** in the `VERSION` file.
+- Update/verify that the `doc/source/changes.rst` changelog file was updated.
+- Commit everything.
+- Run `git tag -s <version>` to tag the version in Git.
+- _Optionally_ create and activate a [virtual environment](https://packaging.python.org/en/latest/guides/installing-using-pip-and-virtual-environments/#creating-a-virtual-environment) using `venv` or `virtualenv`.\
+(When run in a virtual environment, the next step will automatically take care of installing `build` and `twine` in it.)
+- Run `make release`.
 - Close the milestone mentioned in the _changelog_ and create a new one. _Do not reuse milestones by renaming them_.
-- Got to [GitHub Releases](https://github.com/gitpython-developers/GitPython/releases) and publish a new one with the recently pushed tag. Generate the changelog.
+- Go to [GitHub Releases](https://github.com/gitpython-developers/GitPython/releases) and publish a new one with the recently pushed tag. Generate the changelog.
 
 ### How to verify a release (DEPRECATED)
 
diff --git a/test-requirements.txt b/test-requirements.txt
index 214ad78ec..62f409824 100644
--- a/test-requirements.txt
+++ b/test-requirements.txt
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 black
-build
 coverage[toml]
 ddt>=1.1.1, !=1.4.3
 mypy