diff --git a/matsen-tool/src/app/_views/tasks/new-task-note/new-task-note.component.html b/matsen-tool/src/app/_views/tasks/new-task-note/new-task-note.component.html
index 3bd3935..93eb44f 100644
--- a/matsen-tool/src/app/_views/tasks/new-task-note/new-task-note.component.html
+++ b/matsen-tool/src/app/_views/tasks/new-task-note/new-task-note.component.html
@@ -5,6 +5,9 @@
         <div class="mb-3">
             <label for="message" class="form-label">{{ 'form.comment' | translate }}:</label>
             <textarea class="form-control" id="message" formControlName="message" cols="50" rows="5"></textarea>
+            <div class="form-text" *ngIf="taskNoteForm.get('message')?.invalid && taskNoteForm.get('message')?.touched">
+                {{ 'form.comment' | translate }} {{ 'form.mandatory' | translate }}.
+            </div>
         </div>
 
         <div class="mb-3">