diff --git a/code/idle.js b/code/idle.js
index 3c54c78c..1845cefa 100644
--- a/code/idle.js
+++ b/code/idle.js
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 // IDLE HANDLING /////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
 window.idleTime = 0; // in seconds
+window.isHidden = false;
 
 var IDLE_POLL_TIME = 10;
 
@@ -40,6 +41,18 @@ $('body').keypress(idleReset);
 $('body').mousemove(idleMouseMove);
 
 window.isIdle = function() {
+  if (window.idleTime < window.REFRESH) {
+    // if idle for less than the refresh time ignore 'hidden' state - likely initial page load in the background
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  var hidden = (document.hidden || document.webkitHidden || document.mozHidden || document.msHidden);
+  if (hidden) {
+    // window hidden - force an idle state even if below the idle time limit
+    return true;
+  }
+
+  // otherwise use the idle time limit
   return window.idleTime >= MAX_IDLE_TIME;
 }
 
diff --git a/code/request_handling.js b/code/request_handling.js
index 97f40736..3a5c02d3 100644
--- a/code/request_handling.js
+++ b/code/request_handling.js
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ window.requests._callOnRefreshFunctions = function() {
   startRefreshTimeout();
 
   if(isIdle()) {
-    console.log('user has been idle for ' + idleTime + ' seconds. Skipping refresh.');
+    console.log('user has been idle for ' + idleTime + ' seconds, or window hidden. Skipping refresh.');
     renderUpdateStatus();
     return;
   }