diff --git a/electrum/gui/qt/main_window.py b/electrum/gui/qt/main_window.py
index f8c538367..c7d54e911 100644
--- a/electrum/gui/qt/main_window.py
+++ b/electrum/gui/qt/main_window.py
@@ -189,7 +189,8 @@ class ElectrumWindow(QMainWindow, MessageBoxMixin, Logger):
                 tabs.addTab(tab, icon, description.replace("&", ""))
 
         add_optional_tab(tabs, self.addresses_tab, read_QIcon("tab_addresses.png"), _("&Addresses"), "addresses")
-        add_optional_tab(tabs, self.channels_tab, read_QIcon("lightning.png"), _("Channels"), "channels")
+        if self.config.get('lightning'):
+            add_optional_tab(tabs, self.channels_tab, read_QIcon("lightning.png"), _("Channels"), "channels")
         add_optional_tab(tabs, self.utxo_tab, read_QIcon("tab_coins.png"), _("Co&ins"), "utxo")
         add_optional_tab(tabs, self.contacts_tab, read_QIcon("tab_contacts.png"), _("Con&tacts"), "contacts")
         add_optional_tab(tabs, self.console_tab, read_QIcon("tab_console.png"), _("Con&sole"), "console")