diff --git a/.changeset/clever-monkeys-double.md b/.changeset/clever-monkeys-double.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..9fbf541201
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/clever-monkeys-double.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+'@backstage/plugin-scaffolder-backend-module-github': patch
+---
+
+The `scaffolder.defaultCommitMessage` config value is now being used if provided and uses "initial commit" when it is not provided.
diff --git a/plugins/scaffolder-backend-module-github/src/actions/github.ts b/plugins/scaffolder-backend-module-github/src/actions/github.ts
index 62f657b01c..91d7a34aea 100644
--- a/plugins/scaffolder-backend-module-github/src/actions/github.ts
+++ b/plugins/scaffolder-backend-module-github/src/actions/github.ts
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ export function createPublishGithubAction(options: {
         protectDefaultBranch = true,
         protectEnforceAdmins = true,
         deleteBranchOnMerge = false,
-        gitCommitMessage = 'initial commit',
+        gitCommitMessage,
         gitAuthorName,
         gitAuthorEmail,
         allowMergeCommit = true,
diff --git a/plugins/scaffolder-backend-module-github/src/actions/helper.test.ts b/plugins/scaffolder-backend-module-github/src/actions/helper.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..3934e07db7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/plugins/scaffolder-backend-module-github/src/actions/helper.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2023 The Backstage Authors
+ *
+ * Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+ * you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+ * You may obtain a copy of the License at
+ *
+ *     http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+ *
+ * Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+ * distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+ * WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+ * See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+ * limitations under the License.
+ */
+
+import { ConfigReader } from '@backstage/config';
+import { getGitCommitMessage } from './helpers';
+
+describe('getGitCommitMessage', () => {
+  it('should return gitCommitMessage when provided', () => {
+    const mockConfig = new ConfigReader({});
+    const gitCommitMessage = 'Custom commit message';
+
+    const result = getGitCommitMessage(gitCommitMessage, mockConfig);
+
+    expect(result).toEqual('Custom commit message');
+  });
+
+  it('should return default commit message from config when gitCommitMessage is undefined', () => {
+    const mockConfig = new ConfigReader({
+      scaffolder: {
+        defaultCommitMessage: 'Default commit message',
+      },
+    });
+    const result = getGitCommitMessage(undefined, mockConfig);
+
+    expect(result).toEqual('Default commit message');
+  });
+
+  it('should return undefined when both gitCommitMessage and default commit message are undefined', () => {
+    const mockConfig = new ConfigReader({});
+    const result = getGitCommitMessage(undefined, mockConfig);
+
+    expect(result).toBeUndefined();
+  });
+});
diff --git a/plugins/scaffolder-backend-module-github/src/actions/helpers.ts b/plugins/scaffolder-backend-module-github/src/actions/helpers.ts
index c6c4bd4ce5..4d95a6494f 100644
--- a/plugins/scaffolder-backend-module-github/src/actions/helpers.ts
+++ b/plugins/scaffolder-backend-module-github/src/actions/helpers.ts
@@ -354,9 +354,8 @@ export async function initRepoPushAndProtect(
       : config.getOptionalString('scaffolder.defaultAuthor.email'),
   };
 
-  const commitMessage = gitCommitMessage
-    ? gitCommitMessage
-    : config.getOptionalString('scaffolder.defaultCommitMessage');
+  const commitMessage =
+    getGitCommitMessage(gitCommitMessage, config) || 'initial commit';
 
   const commitResult = await initRepoAndPush({
     dir: getRepoSourceDirectory(workspacePath, sourcePath),