diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index dc7242d4ed..1a4994aec1 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](http://semver.org/).
 ### Fixed
 
 - Fixed `Markdown.goto_anchor` no longer scrolling the heading into view https://github.com/Textualize/textual/pull/4583
+- Fixed Footer flicker on initial focus https://github.com/Textualize/textual/issues/4573
 
 ## [0.63.6] - 2024-05-29
 
diff --git a/src/textual/widgets/_footer.py b/src/textual/widgets/_footer.py
index 811ef2b76f..5309ee0e83 100644
--- a/src/textual/widgets/_footer.py
+++ b/src/textual/widgets/_footer.py
@@ -132,8 +132,12 @@ class Footer(ScrollableContainer, can_focus=False, can_focus_children=False):
     """Convert 'ctrl+' prefix to '^'."""
     compact = reactive(False)
     """Display in compact style."""
+    _bindings_ready = reactive(False, repaint=False)
+    """True if the bindings are ready to be displayed."""
 
     def compose(self) -> ComposeResult:
+        if not self._bindings_ready:
+            return
         bindings = [
             (binding, enabled)
             for (_, binding, enabled) in self.screen.active_bindings.values()
@@ -162,6 +166,7 @@ def compose(self) -> ComposeResult:
 
     def on_mount(self) -> None:
         async def bindings_changed(screen: Screen) -> None:
+            self._bindings_ready = True
             if self.is_attached and screen is self.screen:
                 await self.recompose()