diff --git a/app/assets/javascripts/modal.js b/app/assets/javascripts/modal.js
index 6be29f0818..def4a739cc 100644
--- a/app/assets/javascripts/modal.js
+++ b/app/assets/javascripts/modal.js
@@ -39,7 +39,9 @@ var ModalHelper = (function() {
       // prototype, so that all ModalHelper instances can share them.
       if (ModalHelper._done !== true) {
         // one time initialization
-        modalDiv = jQuery('<div/>').css('hidden', true).attr('id', 'modalDiv');
+        modalDiv = jQuery('<div/>').css('hidden', true)
+                                   .attr('id', 'modalDiv')
+                                   .css('display', 'none');
         body.append(modalDiv);
 
         // close when body is clicked