diff --git a/extra/release.py b/extra/release.py
index 81e0129686..1891f17f2e 100755
--- a/extra/release.py
+++ b/extra/release.py
@@ -135,8 +135,7 @@ def make_ref_link(ref_id: str, name: str | None = None) -> str:
 
 
 MD_REPLACEMENTS: list[Replacement] = [
-    (r"^  (- )", r"\1"),  # remove indent from top-level bullet points
-    (r"^ +(  - )", r"\1"),  # adjust nested bullet points indent
+    (r"<span[^>]+>([^<]+)</span>", r"_\1"),  # remove a couple of wild span refs
     (r"^(\w[^\n]{,80}):(?=\n\n[^ ])", r"### \1"),  # format section headers
     (r"^(\w[^\n]{81,}):(?=\n\n[^ ])", r"**\1**"),  # and bolden too long ones
     (r"### [^\n]+\n+(?=### )", ""),  # remove empty sections
diff --git a/test/test_release.py b/test/test_release.py
index 4b3f37113b..62986fa95b 100644
--- a/test/test_release.py
+++ b/test/test_release.py
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ def rst_changelog():
 def md_changelog():
     return r"""### New features
 
-- [Substitute Plugin](https://beets.readthedocs.io/en/stable/plugins/substitute.html): Some substitute multi-line change. :bug: (\#5467)
+- [Substitute Plugin](https://beets.readthedocs.io/en/stable/plugins/substitute.html): Some substitute multi-line change. :bug: (#5467)
 - [list](https://beets.readthedocs.io/en/stable/reference/cli.html#list-cmd) Update.
 
 You can do something with this command:
@@ -82,9 +82,9 @@ def md_changelog():
 - Another fix with its own bullet points using correct indentation:
   - First
   - Second
-- Some fix thanks to @username. :bug: (\#5467)
+- Some fix thanks to @username. :bug: (#5467)
 - Some fix that mentions user @username.
-- Some fix that refers to an issue. :bug: (\#5467)
+- Some fix that refers to an issue. :bug: (#5467)
 - Some fix with its own bullet points using incorrect indentation:
   - First nested bullet point with some text that wraps to the next line
   - Second nested bullet point
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ def md_changelog():
 
 ### Other changes
 
-- Changed `bitesize` label to `good first issue`. Our [contribute](https://github.com/beetbox/beets/contribute) page is now automatically populated with these issues. :bug: (\#4855)
+- Changed `bitesize` label to `good first issue`. Our [contribute](https://github.com/beetbox/beets/contribute) page is now automatically populated with these issues. :bug: (#4855)
 
 # 2.1.0 (November 22, 2024)