diff --git a/app/gist/controller.js b/app/gist/controller.js
index 1f66ae0f..c4d68271 100644
--- a/app/gist/controller.js
+++ b/app/gist/controller.js
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ export default Ember.Controller.extend({
     this._super(...arguments);
     this.createColumns();
     this.setupWindowUpdate();
+    this.set('activeEditorCol', '1');
   },
 
   /**
diff --git a/tests/acceptance/columns-test.js b/tests/acceptance/columns-test.js
index d5532e55..65892ae2 100644
--- a/tests/acceptance/columns-test.js
+++ b/tests/acceptance/columns-test.js
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ test('you can add and remove columns', function(assert) {
   andThen(function() {
     assert.equal(currentURL(), '/', 'We are on the correct initial route');
     assert.equal(find(columns).length, 2, 'There are two columns to start');
+    assert.ok(find(firstColumn).hasClass('active'), 'The first column starts out active');
 
     find(plusGlyph).click();
   });