Index: wp-includes/comment-template.php =================================================================== --- wp-includes/comment-template.php (revision 17265) +++ wp-includes/comment-template.php (working copy) @@ -1530,10 +1530,10 @@ $required_text = sprintf( ' ' . __('Required fields are marked %s'), '*' ); $defaults = array( 'fields' => apply_filters( 'comment_form_default_fields', $fields ), - 'comment_field' => '
', + 'comment_field' => '*
', 'must_log_in' => '' . sprintf( __( 'You must be logged in to post a comment.' ), wp_login_url( apply_filters( 'the_permalink', get_permalink( $post_id ) ) ) ) . '
', 'logged_in_as' => '' . sprintf( __( 'Logged in as %2$s. Log out?' ), admin_url( 'profile.php' ), $user_identity, wp_logout_url( apply_filters( 'the_permalink', get_permalink( $post_id ) ) ) ) . '
', - 'comment_notes_before' => '' . __( 'Your email address will not be published.' ) . ( $req ? $required_text : '' ) . '
', + 'comment_notes_before' => '' . __( 'Your email address will not be published.' ) . $required_text . '
', 'comment_notes_after' => ' ', 'id_form' => 'commentform', 'id_submit' => 'submit',