diff --git a/branch_forward/test_verify.py b/branch_forward/test_verify.py
index 8bb2511..a350929 100644
--- a/branch_forward/test_verify.py
+++ b/branch_forward/test_verify.py
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@
 @contextmanager
 def base_setup() -> Iterator[Tuple[GitAutograderTest, RepoSmith]]:
     with loader.start() as (test, rs):
+        rs.git.commit(message="Set initial state", allow_empty=True)
         rs.git.commit(message="Introduce Harry", allow_empty=True)
         rs.git.commit(message="Add about family", allow_empty=True)
 
diff --git a/branch_forward/verify.py b/branch_forward/verify.py
index 4874f07..2534f21 100644
--- a/branch_forward/verify.py
+++ b/branch_forward/verify.py
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
 ONLY_WITH_SALLY_MERGED = "Only one of the two starting branches can be fast-forward merged into 'main'. Do not create new branches."
 
 EXPECTED_MAIN_COMMIT_MESSAGES = {
+    "Set initial state",
     "Introduce Harry",
     "Add about family",
     "Add cast.txt",