diff --git a/twitterwidgets.py b/twitterwidgets.py
index 2077dd8..b077254 100644
--- a/twitterwidgets.py
+++ b/twitterwidgets.py
@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@ class TweetPane(gtk.ScrolledWindow):
             self.tweets[i].connect('retweet', self.on_retweet)
             self.tweets[i].connect('in-reply-to', self.on_tweet_reply_to)
             self.tweets[i].connect('show-user', self.on_show_user)
+            self.tweets[i].hide()
 
         viewport.add(tweet_box)
 
@@ -68,6 +69,9 @@ class TweetPane(gtk.ScrolledWindow):
         self.set_policy(gtk.POLICY_NEVER, gtk.POLICY_ALWAYS)
         self.show_all()
 
+        for tweet in self.tweets:
+            tweet.hide()
+
 
     def update_window(self, statuses):
         if self.updated_once is False:
@@ -90,8 +94,10 @@ class TweetPane(gtk.ScrolledWindow):
                     self.num_new_tweets += 1
                     read = False
                 self.tweets[i].set_status(statuses[i], read)
+                self.tweets[i].show()
             else:
                 self.tweets[i].clear_status()
+                self.tweets[i].hide()
 
         try:
             self.latest_tweet = statuses[0].id