diff --git a/src/pyj/read_book/view.pyj b/src/pyj/read_book/view.pyj
index 16613c4679..6d8500b0cd 100644
--- a/src/pyj/read_book/view.pyj
+++ b/src/pyj/read_book/view.pyj
@@ -87,6 +87,7 @@ def show_controls_help():
             window.setTimeout(focus, 10)
 
     if runtime.is_standalone_viewer:
+        clear(container)
         container.appendChild(E.div(
             style='margin: 1rem',
             E.div(style='margin-top: 1rem'),