diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 7419960565..c8b523beae 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -77,8 +77,8 @@ guidelines:
   add libzot dependency`).
 - Include Signed-off-by tag in the commit comments.  See: [Sign your
   work](https://openwrt.org/submitting-patches#sign_your_work)
-- Author and sign-off must match and be a real name or known identity and
-  a real email address. GitHub private email addresses will not be accepted.
+- Author and sign-off must match and be a real name and real email address.
+  GitHub private email addresses will not be accepted.
 - Follow all [Submission Guidelines](https://openwrt.org/submitting-patches#submission_guidelines)
   requirements, including maximum characters per line.