diff --git a/plugin/fugitive.vim b/plugin/fugitive.vim
index b27a06c..01c443c 100644
--- a/plugin/fugitive.vim
+++ b/plugin/fugitive.vim
@@ -732,7 +732,7 @@ function! s:Commit(args) abort
         if bufname('%') == '' && line('$') == 1 && getline(1) == '' && !&mod
           edit `=msgfile`
         else
-          split `=msgfile`
+          keepalt split `=msgfile`
         endif
         if old_type ==# 'index'
           bdelete #