diff --git a/lib/awful/wibar.lua b/lib/awful/wibar.lua
index 45602011..c2c2757a 100644
--- a/lib/awful/wibar.lua
+++ b/lib/awful/wibar.lua
@@ -322,7 +322,7 @@ function awfulwibar.new(arg)
     w.set_stretch = set_stretch
     w.remove      = remove
 
-    w.visible = true
+    if arg.visible == nil then w.visible = true end
 
     w:set_position(position)