diff --git a/makefile-templates/Makefile.misc b/makefile-templates/Makefile.misc
index 4974a41..f668d36 100644
--- a/makefile-templates/Makefile.misc
+++ b/makefile-templates/Makefile.misc
@@ -76,10 +76,13 @@
 # path; no need to comment the variables).
 # THESE MUST BE DEFINED!
 #
+# Note that PAPER_YEAR defaults to the current year unless otherwise specified.
+# This may not always be what you want! (e.g., building previous year’s material)
+#
 # include path/to/variables/makefile
 SUBJECT_CODE?=$(error The required variable SUBJECT_CODE has not been defined. Please set it to the correct value for this paper)
 PAPER_NUMBER?=$(error The required variable PAPER_NUMBER has not been defined. Please set it to the correct value for this paper)
-PAPER_YEAR?=$(error The required variable PAPER_YEAR has not been defined. Please set it to the correct value for this paper)
+PAPER_YEAR?=$(shell date +"%Y")
 PAPER_PERIOD?=$(error The required variable PAPER_PERIOD has not been defined. Please set it to the correct value for this paper)