diff --git a/src/css/prosemirror.scss b/src/css/prosemirror.scss
index eb205d2313a..a4843715234 100644
--- a/src/css/prosemirror.scss
+++ b/src/css/prosemirror.scss
@@ -382,12 +382,12 @@ div.ProseMirror {
 	display: block;
 }
 
-.editor__content p.is-empty:first-child::before {
+.editor__content p.is-empty::before {
+	color: var(--color-text-maxcontrast);
 	content: attr(data-placeholder);
 	float: left;
-	color: var(--color-text-maxcontrast);
-	pointer-events: none;
 	height: 0;
+	pointer-events: none;
 }
 
 .editor__content {
diff --git a/src/extensions/RichText.js b/src/extensions/RichText.js
index d275eb6c49d..90551227ec9 100644
--- a/src/extensions/RichText.js
+++ b/src/extensions/RichText.js
@@ -111,9 +111,7 @@ export default Extension.create({
 			LinkBubble,
 			this.options.editing
 				? Placeholder.configure({
-					emptyNodeClass: 'is-empty',
-					placeholder: t('text', 'Add notes, lists or links …'),
-					showOnlyWhenEditable: true,
+					placeholder: t('text', 'Start writing, or try \'/\' to add, \'@\' to mention…'),
 				})
 				: null,
 			TrailingNode,