diff --git a/indra/newview/llimview.cpp b/indra/newview/llimview.cpp
index 92f5cd320..a7087cbd6 100644
--- a/indra/newview/llimview.cpp
+++ b/indra/newview/llimview.cpp
@@ -1137,11 +1137,17 @@ LLFloaterIMPanel* LLIMMgr::createFloater(
 		gFloaterView->addChild(floater); // reparent to floater view
 		LLFloater* focused_floater = gFloaterView->getFocusedFloater(); // obtain the focused floater
 		floater->open(); // make the new chat floater appear
+		static LLCachedControl<bool> minimize("OtherChatsTornOffAndMinimized");
 		if (focused_floater != NULL) // there was a focused floater
 		{
 			floater->setMinimized(true); // so minimize this one, for now
 			focused_floater->setFocus(true); // and work around focus being removed by focusing on the last
 		}
+		else if (minimize)
+		{
+			floater->setFocus(false); // work around focus being granted to new floater
+			floater->setMinimized(true);
+		}
 	}
 	mFloaters.insert(floater->getHandle());
 	return floater;
@@ -1184,6 +1190,7 @@ LLFloaterIMPanel* LLIMMgr::createFloater(
 		}
 		else if (minimize)
 		{
+			floater->setFocus(false); // work around focus being granted to new floater
 			floater->setMinimized(true);
 		}
 	}