diff --git a/src/ui/public/chrome/api/angular.js b/src/ui/public/chrome/api/angular.js
index 91c35fb591c3..db003c08a171 100644
--- a/src/ui/public/chrome/api/angular.js
+++ b/src/ui/public/chrome/api/angular.js
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ module.exports = function (chrome, internals) {
         controller: function ($scope, $rootScope, $location, $http) {
 
           // are we showing the embedded version of the chrome?
-          chrome.setVisible(!Boolean($location.search().embed));
+          internals.setVisibleDefault(!$location.search().embed);
 
           // listen for route changes, propogate to tabs
           var onRouteChange = function () {
diff --git a/src/ui/public/chrome/api/controls.js b/src/ui/public/chrome/api/controls.js
index a8652ed59bf4..116e37411cff 100644
--- a/src/ui/public/chrome/api/controls.js
+++ b/src/ui/public/chrome/api/controls.js
@@ -10,6 +10,9 @@ module.exports = function (chrome, internals) {
    *     determines if the Kibana chrome should be displayed
    */
 
+  var def = true;
+  internals.setVisibleDefault = (_def) => def = Boolean(_def);
+
   /**
    * @param {boolean} display - should the chrome be displayed
    * @return {chrome}
@@ -23,7 +26,7 @@ module.exports = function (chrome, internals) {
    * @return {boolean} - display state of the chrome
    */
   chrome.getVisible = function () {
-    if (_.isUndefined(internals.visible)) return true;
+    if (_.isUndefined(internals.visible)) return def;
     return internals.visible;
   };
 };