diff --git a/src/components/structures/RoomSubList.js b/src/components/structures/RoomSubList.js
index be472d92f7..e1bc1954da 100644
--- a/src/components/structures/RoomSubList.js
+++ b/src/components/structures/RoomSubList.js
@@ -263,19 +263,21 @@ const RoomSubList = React.createClass({
         const subListNotifCount = subListNotifications[0];
         const subListNotifHighlight = subListNotifications[1];
 
-        const badgeClasses = classNames({
-            'mx_RoomSubList_badge': true,
-            'mx_RoomSubList_badgeHighlight': subListNotifHighlight,
-        });
 
         let badge;
-        if (subListNotifCount > 0) {
-            badge = <div className={badgeClasses} onClick={this._onNotifBadgeClick}>
-                { FormattingUtils.formatCount(subListNotifCount) }
-            </div>;
-        } else if (this.props.isInvite) {
-            // no notifications but highlight anyway because this is an invite badge
-            badge = <div className={badgeClasses} onClick={this._onInviteBadgeClick}>!</div>;
+        if (this.state.hidden) {
+            const badgeClasses = classNames({
+                'mx_RoomSubList_badge': true,
+                'mx_RoomSubList_badgeHighlight': subListNotifHighlight,
+            });
+            if (subListNotifCount > 0) {
+                badge = <div className={badgeClasses} onClick={this._onNotifBadgeClick}>
+                    { FormattingUtils.formatCount(subListNotifCount) }
+                </div>;
+            } else if (this.props.isInvite) {
+                // no notifications but highlight anyway because this is an invite badge
+                badge = <div className={badgeClasses} onClick={this._onInviteBadgeClick}>!</div>;
+            }
         }
 
         // When collapsed, allow a long hover on the header to show user