diff --git a/atst/models/request.py b/atst/models/request.py
index 2462c60f..0b90db6d 100644
--- a/atst/models/request.py
+++ b/atst/models/request.py
@@ -165,3 +165,7 @@ class Request(Base):
     @property
     def reviews(self):
         return [status.review for status in self.status_events if status.review]
+
+    @property
+    def internal_comments_text(self):
+        return self.internal_comments.text if self.internal_comments else ""
diff --git a/atst/routes/requests/approval.py b/atst/routes/requests/approval.py
index 02185beb..fcb0ca66 100644
--- a/atst/routes/requests/approval.py
+++ b/atst/routes/requests/approval.py
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ def render_approval(request, form=None):
     if pending_final_approval and request.task_order:
         data["task_order"] = task_order_dictionary(request.task_order)
 
-    internal_comment_form = InternalCommentForm(text=request.internal_comments.text)
+    internal_comment_form = InternalCommentForm(text=request.internal_comments_text)
 
     return render_template(
         "requests/approval.html",