diff --git a/extensions/git/package.json b/extensions/git/package.json
index 3ce5776241f..2f0c11b17ce 100644
--- a/extensions/git/package.json
+++ b/extensions/git/package.json
@@ -2075,6 +2075,11 @@
         "contents": "%view.workbench.scm.disabled%",
         "when": "!config.git.enabled"
       },
+      {
+        "view": "scm",
+        "contents": "%view.workbench.scm.activating%",
+        "when": "config.git.enabled && git.state != initialized"
+      },
       {
         "view": "scm",
         "contents": "%view.workbench.scm.missing%",
diff --git a/extensions/git/package.nls.json b/extensions/git/package.nls.json
index f8838782e3d..85f893edff6 100644
--- a/extensions/git/package.nls.json
+++ b/extensions/git/package.nls.json
@@ -177,6 +177,7 @@
 	"colors.submodule": "Color for submodule resources.",
 	"view.workbench.scm.missing": "A valid git installation was not detected, more details can be found in the [git output](command:git.showOutput).\nPlease [install git](https://git-scm.com/), or learn more about how to use git and source control in VS Code in [our docs](https://aka.ms/vscode-scm).\nIf you're using a different version control system, you can [search the Marketplace](command:workbench.extensions.search?%22%40category%3A%5C%22scm%20providers%5C%22%22) for additional extensions.",
 	"view.workbench.scm.disabled": "If you would like to use git features, please enable git in your [settings](command:workbench.action.openSettings?%5B%22git.enabled%22%5D).\nTo learn more about how to use git and source control in VS Code [read our docs](https://aka.ms/vscode-scm).",
+	"view.workbench.scm.activating": "Git extension is activating...\n[Learn More](https://aka.ms/vscode-scm)",
 	"view.workbench.scm.empty": "In order to use git features, you can open a folder containing a git repository or clone from a URL.\n[Open Folder](command:vscode.openFolder)\n[Clone Repository](command:git.clone)\nTo learn more about how to use git and source control in VS Code [read our docs](https://aka.ms/vscode-scm).",
 	"view.workbench.scm.folder": "The folder currently open doesn't have a git repository. You can initialize a repository which will enable source control features powered by git.\n[Initialize Repository](command:git.init?%5Btrue%5D)\nTo learn more about how to use git and source control in VS Code [read our docs](https://aka.ms/vscode-scm).",
 	"view.workbench.scm.workspace": "The workspace currently open doesn't have any folders containing git repositories. You can initialize a repository on a folder which will enable source control features powered by git.\n[Initialize Repository](command:git.init)\nTo learn more about how to use git and source control in VS Code [read our docs](https://aka.ms/vscode-scm).",