diff --git a/collects/typed-racket/optimizer/tool/tool.rkt b/collects/typed-racket/optimizer/tool/tool.rkt
index 2b50aa6aaa..f9ab8f2d71 100644
--- a/collects/typed-racket/optimizer/tool/tool.rkt
+++ b/collects/typed-racket/optimizer/tool/tool.rkt
@@ -242,7 +242,9 @@
                [value #f]))) ; will be updated in `show-optimization-coach'
 
       (define/public (show-optimization-coach)
-        (cond [panel (send (get-area-container) add-child panel)]
+        (define area-container (get-area-container))
+        (cond [panel (or (memq panel (send area-container get-children))
+                         (send area-container add-child panel))]
               [else  (create-panel)])
         ;; update check-boxes
         (define filters (send (get-definitions-text) get-filters))