diff --git a/src/view.map.js b/src/view.map.js
index bf864c46..76c9e675 100644
--- a/src/view.map.js
+++ b/src/view.map.js
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ my.Map = Backbone.View.extend({
 
   initialize: function(options) {
     var self = this;
-    this.visible = true;
+    this.visible = this.$el.is(':visible');
     this.mapReady = false;
     // this will be the Leaflet L.Map object (setup below)
     this.map = null;