diff --git a/builtin/am.c b/builtin/am.c
index 3c50392013..1ff74ac136 100644
--- a/builtin/am.c
+++ b/builtin/am.c
@@ -2246,6 +2246,9 @@ int cmd_am(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 		fprintf_ln(stderr, _("The -b/--binary option has been a no-op for long time, and\n"
 				"it will be removed. Please do not use it anymore."));
 
+	/* Ensure a valid committer ident can be constructed */
+	git_committer_info(IDENT_STRICT);
+
 	if (read_index_preload(&the_index, NULL) < 0)
 		die(_("failed to read the index"));