diff --git a/src/dock.js b/src/dock.js
index 585b2441d..a171c5d66 100644
--- a/src/dock.js
+++ b/src/dock.js
@@ -55,11 +55,10 @@ module.exports = class Dock {
         pane.onDidRemoveItem(this.handleDidRemovePaneItem.bind(this))
       })
     )
-
-    this.render(this.state)
   }
 
   getElement () {
+    if (!this.element) this.render(this.state);
     return this.element
   }