diff --git a/docs/releases/README.rst b/docs/releases/README.rst
index 91ec75390..bf835c671 100644
--- a/docs/releases/README.rst
+++ b/docs/releases/README.rst
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ Create a new file with a name like ``<pull-request>.<type>.rst``, where
 - ``removal``: Removal of public API
 - ``doc``: Documentation changes
 - ``test``: Changes to test suite ('end users' are distribution packagers)
+- ``build``: Build system changes that affect how the distribution is installed
 
 Then write a short sentence in the file that describes the changes for the
 end users, e.g. in ``123.removal.rst``::
diff --git a/etstool.py b/etstool.py
index e7d32146a..d506b2664 100644
--- a/etstool.py
+++ b/etstool.py
@@ -342,6 +342,7 @@ def changelog(ctx):
             "removal": "Removals",
             "doc": "Documentation changes",
             "test": "Test suite",
+            "build": "Build System",
         }
     }