diff --git a/t/t7502-status.sh b/t/t7502-status.sh
index 9ce50cade8..b64ce30ff1 100755
--- a/t/t7502-status.sh
+++ b/t/t7502-status.sh
@@ -17,6 +17,9 @@ test_expect_success 'setup' '
 	: > dir1/tracked &&
 	: > dir1/modified &&
 	git add . &&
+
+	git status >output &&
+
 	test_tick &&
 	git commit -m initial &&
 	: > untracked &&
@@ -28,6 +31,12 @@ test_expect_success 'setup' '
 	git add dir2/added
 '
 
+test_expect_success 'status (1)' '
+
+	grep -e "use \"git rm --cached <file>\.\.\.\" to unstage" output
+
+'
+
 cat > expect << \EOF
 # On branch master
 # Changes to be committed:
@@ -51,7 +60,7 @@ cat > expect << \EOF
 #	untracked
 EOF
 
-test_expect_success 'status' '
+test_expect_success 'status (2)' '
 
 	git status > output &&
 	git diff expect output
diff --git a/wt-status.c b/wt-status.c
index bfd1b0fcc6..991e373785 100644
--- a/wt-status.c
+++ b/wt-status.c
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ static void wt_status_print_cached_header(struct wt_status *s)
 {
 	const char *c = color(WT_STATUS_HEADER);
 	color_fprintf_ln(s->fp, c, "# Changes to be committed:");
-	if (s->reference) {
+	if (!s->is_initial) {
 		color_fprintf_ln(s->fp, c, "#   (use \"git reset %s <file>...\" to unstage)", s->reference);
 	} else {
 		color_fprintf_ln(s->fp, c, "#   (use \"git rm --cached <file>...\" to unstage)");