diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.rst b/CONTRIBUTING.rst
index 6a291b2..3b04ae0 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.rst
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.rst
@@ -32,7 +32,16 @@ Submit issues
 =============
 
 Issues are welcome to both Github_ and the `mailing list`_, at your own
-convenience.
+convenience. Provide the following information:
+- system/distribution (with version)
+- offlineimap version (`offlineimap -V`)
+- Python version
+- server name or domain
+- CLI options
+- Configuration file (offlineimaprc)
+- pythonfile (if any)
+- Logs, error
+- Steps to reproduce the error
 
 Worth the read: `How to fix a bug in open source software`_.
 
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index a9c9c41..f3e978a 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -70,7 +70,16 @@ place on the mailing list.** While not mandatory to send emails, you can
 [subscribe here](http://lists.alioth.debian.org/mailman/listinfo/offlineimap-project).
 
 Bugs, issues and contributions can be requested to both the mailing list or the
-[official Github project][offlineimap].
+[official Github project][offlineimap].  Provide the following information:
+- system/distribution (with version)
+- offlineimap version (`offlineimap -V`)
+- Python version
+- server name or domain
+- CLI options
+- Configuration file (offlineimaprc)
+- pythonfile (if any)
+- Logs, error
+- Steps to reproduce the error
 
 
 ## The community