diff --git a/src/g_statusbar/hudmessages.cpp b/src/g_statusbar/hudmessages.cpp
index 3e0db7874..11c7aa1a4 100644
--- a/src/g_statusbar/hudmessages.cpp
+++ b/src/g_statusbar/hudmessages.cpp
@@ -195,7 +195,7 @@ DHUDMessage::DHUDMessage (FFont *font, const char *text, float x, float y, int h
 	HandleAspect = true;
 	Top = y;
 	HoldTics = (int)(holdTime * TICRATE);
-	Tics = 0;
+	Tics = -1;	// -1 to compensate for one additional Tick the message will receive.
 	TextColor = textColor;
 	State = 0;
 	SourceText = copystring (text);