diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index f4dc2de59..b6be800c0 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ plausible-looking but actually low-quality contributions.
 ## Contributors Prior to the Vouch System
 
 If you contributed to Ghostty prior to the introduction
-of the vouch system and wish to continue contributing, you are not
+of the vouch system and wish to continue contributing, you were not
 automatically added to the [list of vouched users](.github/VOUCHED.td). You will need to follow the same
 process as a first-time contributor to be vouched.