diff --git a/index.js b/index.js
index 62882b9..9cb3540 100644
--- a/index.js
+++ b/index.js
@@ -59,6 +59,10 @@ class TabGroup extends EventEmitter {
         this.newTabId++;
         let tab = new Tab(this, id, args);
         this.tabs.push(tab);
+        // Don't call tab.activate() before a tab is referenced in this.tabs
+        if (args.active === true) {
+            tab.activate();
+        }
         this.emit("tab-added", tab, this);
         return tab;
     }
@@ -134,9 +138,6 @@ class Tab extends EventEmitter {
         if (args.visible !== false) {
             this.show();
         }
-        if (args.active === true) {
-            this.activate();
-        }
         if (typeof args.ready === "function") {
             args.ready(this);
         }