diff --git a/chrome/content/zotero/zoteroPane.js b/chrome/content/zotero/zoteroPane.js
index 3d213703ae..3f76aae7a9 100644
--- a/chrome/content/zotero/zoteroPane.js
+++ b/chrome/content/zotero/zoteroPane.js
@@ -4926,7 +4926,8 @@ var ZoteroPane = new function()
 				// people close them by accident and don't know how to get them back
 				// TODO: Add a hidden pref to allow them to stay closed if people really want that?
 				if ((el.id == 'zotero-collections-splitter' || el.id == 'zotero-items-splitter')
-						&& attr == 'state') {
+						&& attr == 'state'
+						&& Zotero.Prefs.get('reopenPanesOnRestart')) {
 					continue;
 				}
 				el.setAttribute(attr, elValues[attr]);
diff --git a/defaults/preferences/zotero.js b/defaults/preferences/zotero.js
index 1dbab917fe..a27c77383a 100644
--- a/defaults/preferences/zotero.js
+++ b/defaults/preferences/zotero.js
@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ pref("extensions.zotero.trashAutoEmptyDays", 30);
 pref("extensions.zotero.viewOnDoubleClick", true);
 pref("extensions.zotero.firstRunGuidance", true);
 pref("extensions.zotero.showConnectorVersionWarning", true);
+pref("extensions.zotero.reopenPanesOnRestart", true);
 
 pref("extensions.zotero.groups.copyChildLinks", true);
 pref("extensions.zotero.groups.copyChildFileAttachments", true);