diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 0158c84876..dcfe8b2eb7 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -45,6 +45,8 @@ _Breaking developer changes, which may affect downstream projects or sites that
 * Consider lifecycle prefixes when deciding whether features should be rendered as a line or an area ([#8881], thanks [@k-yle])
 #### :white_check_mark: Validation
 * Don't warn on close-by "Stolperstein" memorials ([#8419], thanks [@paulklie])
+#### :sparkles: Usability & Accessibility
+* Always render `ref` tag as label ([#9054], thanks [@k-yle])
 #### :bug: Bugfixes
 * When typing an invalid unit into the Speed Limit or Max Height field, revert to the previous unit ([#9110], thanks [@1ec5])
 * Fix wikidata field displaying `[object Object]` instead of item labels after wikibase API change ([#9067])
@@ -73,6 +75,7 @@ _Breaking developer changes, which may affect downstream projects or sites that
 [#8881]: https://github.com/openstreetmap/iD/issues/8881
 [#8975]: https://github.com/openstreetmap/iD/pull/8975
 [#9018]: https://github.com/openstreetmap/iD/issues/9018
+[#9054]: https://github.com/openstreetmap/iD/issues/9054
 [#9067]: https://github.com/openstreetmap/iD/issues/9067
 [#9074]: https://github.com/openstreetmap/iD/pull/9074
 [#9110]: https://github.com/openstreetmap/iD/issues/9110
diff --git a/modules/svg/labels.js b/modules/svg/labels.js
index a24d5100bb..fa0bcabd85 100644
--- a/modules/svg/labels.js
+++ b/modules/svg/labels.js
@@ -57,6 +57,9 @@ export function svgLabels(projection, context) {
         ['point', 'shop', '*', 10],
         ['point', 'tourism', '*', 10],
         ['point', 'camp_site', '*', 10],
+        ['line', 'ref', '*', 12],
+        ['area', 'ref', '*', 12],
+        ['point', 'ref', '*', 10],
         ['line', 'name', '*', 12],
         ['area', 'name', '*', 12],
         ['point', 'name', '*', 10]