diff --git a/extensions/workspace-indicator/extension.js b/extensions/workspace-indicator/extension.js
index 0df9e038..ee84ed3f 100644
--- a/extensions/workspace-indicator/extension.js
+++ b/extensions/workspace-indicator/extension.js
@@ -49,7 +49,6 @@ class WindowPreview extends St.Button {
             },
             'notify::minimized', this._updateVisible.bind(this),
             this);
-        this._updateVisible();
 
         global.display.connectObject('notify::focus-window',
             this._onFocusChanged.bind(this), this);
@@ -61,6 +60,12 @@ class WindowPreview extends St.Button {
         return this._window;
     }
 
+    vfunc_map() {
+        super.vfunc_map();
+        // initialize visibility after being added to the stage
+        setTimeout(() => this._updateVisible());
+    }
+
     _onFocusChanged() {
         if (global.display.focus_window === this._window)
             this.add_style_class_name('active');