When adverb clauses introduce a sentence, they are nearly always followed by a comma. When they conclude a sentence, however, they are not set off by commas if their content is essential to the meaning of the earlier part of the sentence. Adverb clauses beginning with after, as soon as, because, before, if, since, unless, until, and when are usually essential.

Without the unless clause, the meaning of the sentence might at first seem broader than the writer intended.

When a concluding adverb clause is nonessential, it should be preceded by a comma. Clauses beginning with although, even though, though, and whereas are usually nonessential.