diff --git a/chrome/content/zotero/zoteroPane.js b/chrome/content/zotero/zoteroPane.js
index 02b9b13d5..f3d6397ae 100644
--- a/chrome/content/zotero/zoteroPane.js
+++ b/chrome/content/zotero/zoteroPane.js
@@ -365,6 +365,8 @@ var ZoteroPane = new function()
 		
 		yield Zotero.unlockPromise;
 		
+		// The items pane is hidden initially to avoid showing column lines
+		document.getElementById('zotero-items-tree').hidden = false;
 		Zotero.hideZoteroPaneOverlays();
 		
 		// If pane not loaded, load it or display an error message
diff --git a/chrome/content/zotero/zoteroPane.xul b/chrome/content/zotero/zoteroPane.xul
index 6dac8668d..d9a83520c 100644
--- a/chrome/content/zotero/zoteroPane.xul
+++ b/chrome/content/zotero/zoteroPane.xul
@@ -371,6 +371,7 @@
 								onselect="ZoteroPane_Local.itemSelected(event)"
 								oncommand="ZoteroPane_Local.serializePersist()"
 								flex="1"
+								hidden="true"
 								zotero-persist="current-view-group">
 								<treecols id="zotero-items-columns-header">
 									<treecol