diff --git a/electrum/gui/qt/invoice_list.py b/electrum/gui/qt/invoice_list.py
index 4789aa066..111bf142a 100644
--- a/electrum/gui/qt/invoice_list.py
+++ b/electrum/gui/qt/invoice_list.py
@@ -58,8 +58,10 @@ class InvoiceList(MyTreeView):
             item[3].setFont(QFont(MONOSPACE_FONT))
             self.addTopLevelItem(item)
         self.selectionModel().select(self.model().index(0,0), QItemSelectionModel.SelectCurrent)
-        self.setVisible(len(inv_list))
-        self.parent.invoices_label.setVisible(len(inv_list))
+        if self.parent.isVisible():
+            b = len(inv_list) > 0
+            self.setVisible(b)
+            self.parent.invoices_label.setVisible(b)
 
     def import_invoices(self):
         import_meta_gui(self.parent, _('invoices'), self.parent.invoices.import_file, self.update)
diff --git a/electrum/gui/qt/request_list.py b/electrum/gui/qt/request_list.py
index 8c6567fc8..79faca438 100644
--- a/electrum/gui/qt/request_list.py
+++ b/electrum/gui/qt/request_list.py
@@ -67,12 +67,13 @@ class RequestList(MyTreeView):
     def update(self):
         self.wallet = self.parent.wallet
         # hide receive tab if no receive requests available
-        b = len(self.wallet.receive_requests) > 0
-        self.setVisible(b)
-        self.parent.receive_requests_label.setVisible(b)
-        if not b:
-            self.parent.expires_label.hide()
-            self.parent.expires_combo.show()
+        if self.parent.isVisible():
+            b = len(self.wallet.receive_requests) > 0
+            self.setVisible(b)
+            self.parent.receive_requests_label.setVisible(b)
+            if not b:
+                self.parent.expires_label.hide()
+                self.parent.expires_combo.show()
 
         # update the receive address if necessary
         current_address = self.parent.receive_address_e.text()