A cathodic electrodeposition coating composition which produces substantially pinhole-free coatings on galvanized surfaces, said composition comprising 0.2 to 8% by weight, based on the weight of resin solids in the composition, of at least one 5- or 6-membered cyclic imide having a (cyclo)alkyl or (cyclo)alkenyl residue comprising 4 to 12 carbon atoms on the imide nitrogen.