diff --git a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
index 7c3870470f074..5e4d3b4ec38e4 100644
--- a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
+++ b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
@@ -1,3 +1,9 @@
+---
+
+labels: "Needs Review"
+
+---
+
 - [ ] closes #xxxx
 - [ ] tests added / passed
 - [ ] passes `black pandas`