diff --git a/lib/headlines-feed/bloc/headlines_feed_bloc.dart b/lib/headlines-feed/bloc/headlines_feed_bloc.dart
index 978a8a31..c5715eb2 100644
--- a/lib/headlines-feed/bloc/headlines_feed_bloc.dart
+++ b/lib/headlines-feed/bloc/headlines_feed_bloc.dart
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ class HeadlinesFeedBloc extends Bloc<HeadlinesFeedEvent, HeadlinesFeedState> {
   /// Requires a [HtDataRepository<Headline>] to interact with the data layer.
   HeadlinesFeedBloc({required HtDataRepository<Headline> headlinesRepository})
     : _headlinesRepository = headlinesRepository,
-      super(HeadlinesFeedLoading()) {
+      super(HeadlinesFeedInitial()) {
     on<HeadlinesFeedFetchRequested>(
       _onHeadlinesFeedFetchRequested,
       transformer:
diff --git a/lib/headlines-feed/bloc/headlines_feed_state.dart b/lib/headlines-feed/bloc/headlines_feed_state.dart
index 12edff53..da70e7b1 100644
--- a/lib/headlines-feed/bloc/headlines_feed_state.dart
+++ b/lib/headlines-feed/bloc/headlines_feed_state.dart
@@ -11,6 +11,11 @@ sealed class HeadlinesFeedState extends Equatable {
   List<Object?> get props => [];
 }
 
+/// {@template headlines_feed_initial}
+/// The initial state of the headlines feed before any loading has begun.
+/// {@endtemplate}
+final class HeadlinesFeedInitial extends HeadlinesFeedState {}
+
 /// {@template headlines_feed_loading}
 /// State indicating that the headlines feed is currently being fetched,
 /// typically shown with a full-screen loading indicator. This is used for
diff --git a/lib/headlines-feed/view/headlines_feed_page.dart b/lib/headlines-feed/view/headlines_feed_page.dart
index 537b4363..149c79bb 100644
--- a/lib/headlines-feed/view/headlines_feed_page.dart
+++ b/lib/headlines-feed/view/headlines_feed_page.dart
@@ -151,6 +151,7 @@ class _HeadlinesFeedPageState extends State<HeadlinesFeedPage> {
             (previous, current) => current is! HeadlinesFeedLoadingSilently,
         builder: (context, state) {
           switch (state) {
+            case HeadlinesFeedInitial(): // Handle initial state
             case HeadlinesFeedLoading():
               // Display full-screen loading indicator
               return LoadingStateWidget(