diff --git a/gtm b/gtm
index 26f4b51..91a1d25 100755
--- a/gtm
+++ b/gtm
@@ -296,6 +296,10 @@ def load_commit_content(state: AppState) -> AppState:
     if not commit_details['message'].strip():
         commit_details['message'] = short_message
     
+    # Ensure we have some commit message to display
+    if not commit_details['message']:
+        commit_details['message'] = short_message if short_message else "No commit message"
+    
     max_scroll_new = max(0, len(file_lines) - (state.height - state.status_bar_height))
     right_scroll_offset = state.right_scroll_offset
     if reference_line:
@@ -1381,7 +1385,9 @@ def main(stdscr, filename, show_diff, show_add, show_del, mouse, wrap_lines=True
             except Exception:
                 pass
     
-    state = load_commit_content(state)
+    # Load initial commit content so commit details are available immediately
+    if state.commits:
+        state = load_commit_content(state)
     
     # Initial draw before the main loop starts
     draw_ui(stdscr, state)