diff --git a/doc/fugitive.txt b/doc/fugitive.txt
index 2b9a5d3..322ed5f 100644
--- a/doc/fugitive.txt
+++ b/doc/fugitive.txt
@@ -63,12 +63,12 @@ that are part of Git repositories).
                         to commit, |:Gstatus| is called instead.  Unless the
                         arguments given would skip the invocation of an editor
                         (e.g., -m), a split window will be used to obtain a
-                        commit message.  Write and close that window (:wq or
-                        |:Gwrite|) to finish the commit.  Unlike when running
-                        the actual git-commit command, it is possible (but
-                        unadvisable) to muck with the index with commands like
-                        git-add and git-reset while a commit message is
-                        pending.
+                        commit message, or a new tab if -v is given.  Write
+                        and close that window (:wq or |:Gwrite|) to finish the
+                        commit.  Unlike when running the actual git-commit
+                        command, it is possible (but unadvisable) to alter the
+                        index with commands like git-add and git-reset while a
+                        commit message is pending.
 
                                                 *fugitive-:Gmerge*
 :Gmerge [args]          Calls git-merge and loads errors and conflicted files
diff --git a/plugin/fugitive.vim b/plugin/fugitive.vim
index a47d328..031a04a 100644
--- a/plugin/fugitive.vim
+++ b/plugin/fugitive.vim
@@ -1015,6 +1015,8 @@ function! s:Commit(args) abort
         endif
         if bufname('%') == '' && line('$') == 1 && getline(1) == '' && !&mod
           execute 'keepalt edit '.s:fnameescape(msgfile)
+        elseif a:args =~# '\%(^\| \)-\%(-verbose\|\w*v\)\>'
+          execute 'keepalt tabedit '.s:fnameescape(msgfile)
         elseif s:buffer().type() ==# 'index'
           execute 'keepalt edit '.s:fnameescape(msgfile)
           execute (search('^#','n')+1).'wincmd+'