diff --git a/webapp/web/css/vitro.css b/webapp/web/css/vitro.css
index b90e88002..e37c1de45 100644
--- a/webapp/web/css/vitro.css
+++ b/webapp/web/css/vitro.css
@@ -416,4 +416,13 @@ a.filter-search {
 		text-align: center;
 		margin: 0;
 		margin-top: 13px;
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
+/* contact form security field */
+div .realperson-challenge {
+	width: 250px;
+        margin-right: 20px;
+}
+div .realperson-text {
+	text-align: center;
+}
+
diff --git a/webapp/web/templates/freemarker/body/contactForm/contactForm-form.ftl b/webapp/web/templates/freemarker/body/contactForm/contactForm-form.ftl
index 914bc58bc..b53adb7ae 100644
--- a/webapp/web/templates/freemarker/body/contactForm/contactForm-form.ftl
+++ b/webapp/web/templates/freemarker/body/contactForm/contactForm-form.ftl
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@
         <textarea name="s34gfd88p9x1" rows="10" cols="90">${comments!}</textarea>
         
        
-    	<p><label class="realpersonLabel">${i18n().enter_in_security_field}:</label>
+    	<p><label class="realpersonLabel">${i18n().enter_in_security_field}:<span class="requiredHint"> *</span></label>
 
     		<input type="text" id="defaultReal" name="defaultReal"></p>