diff --git a/src/js/background.js b/src/js/background.js
index 6d097b3a7..2fcf98b22 100644
--- a/src/js/background.js
+++ b/src/js/background.js
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ return {
         dynamicFilteringEnabled: false,
         experimentalEnabled: false,
         externalLists: defaultExternalLists,
-        firewallPaneMinimized: false,
+        firewallPaneMinimized: true,
         parseAllABPHideFilters: true,
         showIconBadge: true
     },