diff --git a/git-am.sh b/git-am.sh
index 202130f888b..c092855dd7c 100755
--- a/git-am.sh
+++ b/git-am.sh
@@ -778,13 +778,6 @@ To restore the original branch and stop patching run \"\$cmdline --abort\"."
 	    action=yes
 	fi
 
-	if test -f "$dotest/final-commit"
-	then
-		FIRSTLINE=$(sed 1q "$dotest/final-commit")
-	else
-		FIRSTLINE=""
-	fi
-
 	if test $action = skip
 	then
 		go_next
@@ -797,6 +790,13 @@ To restore the original branch and stop patching run \"\$cmdline --abort\"."
 		stop_here $this
 	fi
 
+	if test -f "$dotest/final-commit"
+	then
+		FIRSTLINE=$(sed 1q "$dotest/final-commit")
+	else
+		FIRSTLINE=""
+	fi
+
 	say "$(eval_gettext "Applying: \$FIRSTLINE")"
 
 	case "$resolved" in