diff --git a/notebook/static/tree/less/tree.less b/notebook/static/tree/less/tree.less
index 996ab4f48f..1383ee048d 100644
--- a/notebook/static/tree/less/tree.less
+++ b/notebook/static/tree/less/tree.less
@@ -343,3 +343,7 @@ ul#new-menu {
     display: inline-block;
     padding-top: @dashboard_tb_pad;
 }
+
+#lab_link {
+    display: none; // hide the lab link until we are ready to emphasize it
+}
\ No newline at end of file