diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 61e0c13a2..7828ddbb0 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@
     "Debuggers"
   ],
   "activationEvents": [
+    "onCommand:metals.start-server",
     "onCommand:metals.new-scala-project",
     "onDebugResolve:scala",
     "onLanguage:scala",
@@ -125,8 +126,8 @@
     "viewsWelcome": [
       {
         "view": "metalsPackages",
-        "contents": "No Scala project found.\n[New Scala project](command:metals.new-scala-project)",
-        "when": "workbenchState != empty"
+        "contents": "No Scala project found. Create a new one or start Metals manually.\n[New Scala project](command:metals.new-scala-project)\n[Start Metals](command:metals.start-server)",
+        "when": "!metals:enabled || workbenchState != empty"
       }
     ],
     "views": {