diff --git a/CHANGELOG.rst b/CHANGELOG.rst
index ab49e8ca..c1af2393 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.rst
+++ b/CHANGELOG.rst
@@ -5,6 +5,13 @@ Change Log
    This file loosely adheres to the structure of https://keepachangelog.com/,
    but in reStructuredText instead of Markdown.
 
+2023-12-18
+**********
+
+Changed
+=======
+- Add selfcheck target to Makefile
+
 2023-12-15
 **********
 
diff --git a/cookiecutter-xblock/{{cookiecutter.repo_name}}/Makefile b/cookiecutter-xblock/{{cookiecutter.repo_name}}/Makefile
index aaa50636..1fdbc3cc 100644
--- a/cookiecutter-xblock/{{cookiecutter.repo_name}}/Makefile
+++ b/cookiecutter-xblock/{{cookiecutter.repo_name}}/Makefile
@@ -83,3 +83,6 @@ install_transifex_client: ## Install the Transifex client
 	git diff -s --exit-code HEAD || { echo "Please commit changes first."; exit 1; }
 	curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/transifex/cli/master/install.sh | bash
 	git checkout -- LICENSE README.md ## overwritten by Transifex installer
+
+selfcheck: ## check that the Makefile is well-formed
+	@echo "The Makefile is well-formed."