diff --git a/flow/Makefile b/flow/Makefile
index 4206c02338..d9fb76c291 100644
--- a/flow/Makefile
+++ b/flow/Makefile
@@ -553,7 +553,7 @@ define OPEN_GUI
 open_$(1):
 	$(2)=$(RESULTS_DIR)/$(1) $(OPENROAD_NO_EXIT_CMD) $(SCRIPTS_DIR)/open.tcl
 gui_$(1):
-	$(2)=$(RESULTS_DIR)/$(1) GUI_SHOW=1 $(OPENROAD_GUI_CMD) -minimize $(SCRIPTS_DIR)/open.tcl
+	$(2)=$(RESULTS_DIR)/$(1) $(OPENROAD_GUI_CMD) $(SCRIPTS_DIR)/open.tcl
 endef
 
 # Separate dependency checking and doing a step. This can
diff --git a/flow/scripts/open.tcl b/flow/scripts/open.tcl
index 64b7617da4..a1e93a6647 100644
--- a/flow/scripts/open.tcl
+++ b/flow/scripts/open.tcl
@@ -63,9 +63,3 @@ if {[env_var_equals GUI_TIMING 1]} {
 }
 
 fast_route
-
-if {[env_var_equals GUI_SHOW 1]} {
-  # Show the GUI when it is ready; it is unresponsive(with modal requesters
-  # saying it is unresponsive) until everything is loaded
-  gui::unminimize
-}