diff --git a/core/src/main/java/haveno/core/support/dispute/DisputeManager.java b/core/src/main/java/haveno/core/support/dispute/DisputeManager.java
index 7fa0ecf24c..b7fe445d70 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/haveno/core/support/dispute/DisputeManager.java
+++ b/core/src/main/java/haveno/core/support/dispute/DisputeManager.java
@@ -430,20 +430,24 @@ public abstract class DisputeManager<T extends DisputeList<Dispute>> extends Sup
         // save state
         persistNow(null);
 
-        String disputeInfo = getDisputeInfo(dispute);
-        String sysMsg = dispute.isSupportTicket() ?
-                Res.get("support.youOpenedTicket", disputeInfo, Version.VERSION) :
-                Res.get("support.youOpenedDispute", disputeInfo, Version.VERSION);
-
-        ChatMessage chatMessage = new ChatMessage(
-                getSupportType(),
-                dispute.getTradeId(),
-                keyRing.getPubKeyRing().hashCode(),
-                false,
-                Res.get("support.systemMsg", sysMsg),
-                p2PService.getAddress());
-        chatMessage.setSystemMessage(true);
-        dispute.addAndPersistChatMessage(chatMessage);
+        // add dispute system message once
+        boolean hasSystemMessage = dispute.getChatMessages().stream().anyMatch(ChatMessage::isSystemMessage);
+        if (!hasSystemMessage) {
+            String disputeInfo = getDisputeInfo(dispute);
+            String sysMsg = dispute.isSupportTicket() ?
+                    Res.get("support.youOpenedTicket", disputeInfo, Version.VERSION) :
+                    Res.get("support.youOpenedDispute", disputeInfo, Version.VERSION);
+            ChatMessage chatMessage = new ChatMessage(
+                    getSupportType(),
+                    dispute.getTradeId(),
+                    keyRing.getPubKeyRing().hashCode(),
+                    false,
+                    Res.get("support.systemMsg", sysMsg),
+                    p2PService.getAddress());
+            chatMessage.setSystemMessage(true);
+            dispute.addAndPersistChatMessage(chatMessage);
+        }
+        ChatMessage chatMessage = dispute.getChatMessages().get(dispute.getChatMessages().size() - 1); // last message // TODO: why can't this be assigned to local variable above?
 
         // try to import latest multisig info
         try {