diff --git a/gerrit-server/src/main/java/com/google/gerrit/server/git/strategy/CommitMergeStatus.java b/gerrit-server/src/main/java/com/google/gerrit/server/git/strategy/CommitMergeStatus.java
index 9262e63ae4..e5c253d2d1 100644
--- a/gerrit-server/src/main/java/com/google/gerrit/server/git/strategy/CommitMergeStatus.java
+++ b/gerrit-server/src/main/java/com/google/gerrit/server/git/strategy/CommitMergeStatus.java
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ public enum CommitMergeStatus {
           + "\n"
           + "Please rebase the change locally and upload again for review.");
 
-  private String message;
+  private final String message;
 
   CommitMergeStatus(String message) {
     this.message = message;