diff --git a/src/vs/workbench/parts/gettingStarted/common/abstractGettingStarted.ts b/src/vs/workbench/parts/gettingStarted/common/abstractGettingStarted.ts
index 12c6c6321c6..f390376ac3d 100644
--- a/src/vs/workbench/parts/gettingStarted/common/abstractGettingStarted.ts
+++ b/src/vs/workbench/parts/gettingStarted/common/abstractGettingStarted.ts
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ export abstract class AbstractGettingStarted implements IWorkbenchContribution {
 		}
 	}
 
-	private handleWelcome(): void {
+	protected handleWelcome(): void {
 		let firstStartup = !this.storageService.get(AbstractGettingStarted.hideWelcomeSettingskey);
 
 		if (firstStartup && this.welcomePageURL) {
diff --git a/src/vs/workbench/parts/gettingStarted/electron-browser/electronGettingStarted.ts b/src/vs/workbench/parts/gettingStarted/electron-browser/electronGettingStarted.ts
index 72a4f453385..48c69ab2667 100644
--- a/src/vs/workbench/parts/gettingStarted/electron-browser/electronGettingStarted.ts
+++ b/src/vs/workbench/parts/gettingStarted/electron-browser/electronGettingStarted.ts
@@ -14,4 +14,11 @@ export class ElectronGettingStarted extends AbstractGettingStarted implements IW
 	protected openExternal(url: string) {
 		shell.openExternal(url);
 	}
+
+	protected handleWelcome(): void {
+		//make sure the user is online, otherwise refer to the next run to show the welcome page
+		if(navigator.onLine) {
+			super.handleWelcome();
+		}
+	}
 }
\ No newline at end of file