diff --git a/RELEASE_NOTES.md b/RELEASE_NOTES.md
index 4a251fdf3..13fb4cd4e 100644
--- a/RELEASE_NOTES.md
+++ b/RELEASE_NOTES.md
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
 # Next Release
+
+- [#796](https://github.com/IAMconsortium/pyam/pull/796] Raise explicit error message if no connection to IIASA manager service
 - [#794](https://github.com/IAMconsortium/pyam/pull/794] Fixed wrong color codes for AR6 Illustrative Pathways
 
 # Release v2.0.0