diff --git a/magit.el b/magit.el
index 49454adf..55b2ba31 100644
--- a/magit.el
+++ b/magit.el
@@ -2318,9 +2318,9 @@ insert a line to tell how to insert more of them"
   (when (looking-at "^commit \\([0-9a-fA-F]\\{40\\}\\)")
     (add-text-properties (match-beginning 1) (match-end 1)
 			 '(face magit-log-sha1)))
-  (search-forward-regexp "^diff" nil t)
-  (goto-char (match-beginning 0))
-  (magit-wash-diffs))
+  (when (search-forward-regexp "^diff" nil t)
+    (goto-char (match-beginning 0))
+    (magit-wash-diffs)))
 
 (defun magit-refresh-commit-buffer (commit)
   (magit-create-buffer-sections