The invention relates to a guide rail (1) for a linear bearing, having a longitudinal groove (4) which is arranged along the guide rail (1) on its upper rail side, and having a cover strip (3) which closes off the longitudinal groove (4) to the outside and bears flush against the plane of the upper rail side, wherein a clear spacing between opposite groove walls (6) of the longitudinal groove (4)is smaller than the extent of the cover strip (3), which is to be installed, transversely with respect to the longitudinal groove (4), and wherein, in order to retain the cover strip (3) on the guiderail (1), the groove walls (6) are provided in each case with an undercut (7), and wherein retaining strips (8) which are provided at both longitudinal sides of the cover strip (3) engage into the undercuts (7), wherein in order to insert the cover strip (3) into the longitudinal groove (4), the cover strip (3) is plastically curved around an axis which is parallel to the guide rail (1), such that the extent of said cover strip (3) transversely with respect to the longitudinal groove (4) is smaller than the clear spacing between the groove walls (6), wherein the concave side of the curved cover strip (3) faces the longitudinal groove (4), and wherein, after being inserted into the longitudinal groove (4), the curved cover strip (3) is levelled by means of plastic deformation, such that the retaining strips (8) are displaced into the undercuts (7).