Fix #1256
diff --git a/release-notes/VERSION b/release-notes/VERSION
index e25c7d2..d4f29a4 100644
--- a/release-notes/VERSION
+++ b/release-notes/VERSION
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 
 2.8.1 (not yet released)
 
+#1256: `Optional.empty()` not excluded if property declared with type `Object`
 #1288: Type id not exposed for `JsonTypeInfo.As.EXTERNAL_PROPERTY` even when `visible` set to `true`
  (reported by libetl@github)
 #1289: Optimize construction of `ArrayList`, `LinkedHashMap` instances