diff --git a/js/ui/main.js b/js/ui/main.js
index a79841454..3d3d87c14 100644
--- a/js/ui/main.js
+++ b/js/ui/main.js
@@ -196,6 +196,9 @@ function start() {
     ExtensionSystem.init();
     ExtensionSystem.loadExtensions();
 
+    // Perform initial relayout here
+    _relayout();
+
     panel.startStatusArea();
     panel.startupAnimation();
 
@@ -204,9 +207,6 @@ function start() {
 
     global.stage.connect('captured-event', _globalKeyPressHandler);
 
-    // Perform initial relayout here
-    _relayout();
-
     _log('info', 'loaded at ' + _startDate);
     log('GNOME Shell started at ' + _startDate);
 
diff --git a/js/ui/panel.js b/js/ui/panel.js
index 92272df98..1d1e10d60 100644
--- a/js/ui/panel.js
+++ b/js/ui/panel.js
@@ -1042,9 +1042,10 @@ Panel.prototype = {
     },
 
     startupAnimation: function() {
-        this.actor.y = -this.actor.height;
+        let oldY = this.actor.y;
+        this.actor.y = oldY - this.actor.height;
         Tweener.addTween(this.actor,
-                         { y: 0,
+                         { y: oldY,
                            time: 0.2,
                            transition: 'easeOutQuad'
                          });