diff --git a/src/vs/workbench/contrib/comments/browser/commentReply.ts b/src/vs/workbench/contrib/comments/browser/commentReply.ts
index 3580e96799b74..9c9c8e24e5055 100644
--- a/src/vs/workbench/contrib/comments/browser/commentReply.ts
+++ b/src/vs/workbench/contrib/comments/browser/commentReply.ts
@@ -117,9 +117,11 @@ export class CommentReply<T extends IRange | ICellRange> extends Disposable {
 		this.setCommentEditorDecorations();
 
 		// Only add the additional step of clicking a reply button to expand the textarea when there are existing comments
-		if (hasExistingComments) {
+		if (this._pendingComment) {
+			this.expandReplyArea();
+		} else if (hasExistingComments) {
 			this.createReplyButton(this.commentEditor, this.form);
-		} else if (focus && ((this._commentThread.comments && this._commentThread.comments.length === 0) || this._pendingComment)) {
+		} else if (focus && (this._commentThread.comments && this._commentThread.comments.length === 0)) {
 			this.expandReplyArea();
 		}
 		this._error = dom.append(this.form, dom.$('.validation-error.hidden'));