diff --git a/extensions/git/package.json b/extensions/git/package.json
index f450b7b4f70..922a16d0bf0 100644
--- a/extensions/git/package.json
+++ b/extensions/git/package.json
@@ -1769,20 +1769,25 @@
           "contents": "%view.workbench.scm.disabled%",
           "when": "!config.git.enabled"
         },
+        {
+          "view": "workbench.scm",
+          "contents": "%view.workbench.scm.missing%",
+          "when": "config.git.enabled && git.missing"
+        },
         {
           "view": "workbench.scm",
           "contents": "%view.workbench.scm.empty%",
-          "when": "config.git.enabled && workbenchState == empty"
+          "when": "config.git.enabled && !git.missing && workbenchState == empty"
         },
         {
           "view": "workbench.scm",
           "contents": "%view.workbench.scm.folder%",
-          "when": "config.git.enabled && workbenchState == folder"
+          "when": "config.git.enabled && !git.missing && workbenchState == folder"
         },
         {
           "view": "workbench.scm",
           "contents": "%view.workbench.scm.workspace%",
-          "when": "config.git.enabled && workbenchState == workspace"
+          "when": "config.git.enabled && !git.missing && workbenchState == workspace"
         }
       ]
     }
diff --git a/extensions/git/package.nls.json b/extensions/git/package.nls.json
index 62b2b21357d..55b1b423f20 100644
--- a/extensions/git/package.nls.json
+++ b/extensions/git/package.nls.json
@@ -147,6 +147,7 @@
 	"colors.ignored": "Color for ignored resources.",
 	"colors.conflict": "Color for resources with conflicts.",
 	"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.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 from URL](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.\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).",
diff --git a/extensions/git/src/main.ts b/extensions/git/src/main.ts
index 7bb5081d12f..ddf16d76aac 100644
--- a/extensions/git/src/main.ts
+++ b/extensions/git/src/main.ts
@@ -175,6 +175,7 @@ export async function activate(context: ExtensionContext): Promise<GitExtension>
 		console.warn(err.message);
 		outputChannel.appendLine(err.message);
 
+		commands.executeCommand('setContext', 'git.missing', true);
 		warnAboutMissingGit();
 
 		return new GitExtensionImpl();