diff --git a/Makefile.common b/Makefile.common
index b978dfc50..9320176ca 100644
--- a/Makefile.common
+++ b/Makefile.common
@@ -150,6 +150,17 @@ else
 	$(GO) get $(GOOPTS) -t ./...
 endif
 
+.PHONY: update-go-deps
+update-go-deps:
+	@echo ">> updating Go dependencies"
+	@for m in $$($(GO) list -mod=readonly -m -f '{{ if and (not .Indirect) (not .Main)}}{{.Path}}{{end}}' all); do \
+		$(GO) get $$m; \
+	done
+	GO111MODULE=$(GO111MODULE) $(GO) mod tidy
+ifneq (,$(wildcard vendor))
+	GO111MODULE=$(GO111MODULE) $(GO) mod vendor
+endif
+
 .PHONY: common-test-short
 common-test-short: $(GOTEST_DIR)
 	@echo ">> running short tests"
diff --git a/RELEASE.md b/RELEASE.md
index 1e49b36c9..f40a925e2 100644
--- a/RELEASE.md
+++ b/RELEASE.md
@@ -61,11 +61,9 @@ Maintaining the release branches for older minor releases happens on a best effo
 A few days before a major or minor release, consider updating the dependencies:
 
 ```
-export GO111MODULE=on
-go get -u ./...
-go mod tidy
-go mod vendor
+make update-go-deps
 git add go.mod go.sum vendor
+git commit -m "Update dependencies"
 ```
 
 Then create a pull request against the master branch.