diff --git a/main.js b/main.js
index 514fa4a7..8b9602ff 100644
--- a/main.js
+++ b/main.js
@@ -317,7 +317,7 @@ async function generateMapOnLoad() {
   applyPreset(); // apply saved layers preset
   fitMapToScreen();
   focusOn(); // based on searchParams focus on point, cell or burg from MFCG
-  loadAssistant();
+  toggleAssistant();
 }
 
 // focus on coordinates, cell or burg provided in searchParams
@@ -367,9 +367,17 @@ function focusOn() {
   }
 }
 
-function loadAssistant() {
+let isAssistantLoaded = false;
+function toggleAssistant() {
+  const assistantContainer = byId("chat-widget-container");
   const showAssistant = byId("azgaarAssistant").value === "show";
-  if (showAssistant) import("./libs/openwidget.min.js");
+
+  if (showAssistant) {
+    if (isAssistantLoaded) assistantContainer.style.display = "block";
+    else import("./libs/openwidget.min.js").then(() => (isAssistantLoaded = true));
+  } else if (isAssistantLoaded) {
+    assistantContainer.style.display = "none";
+  }
 }
 
 // find burg for MFCG and focus on it
diff --git a/modules/ui/options.js b/modules/ui/options.js
index b7b643a1..b24409f5 100644
--- a/modules/ui/options.js
+++ b/modules/ui/options.js
@@ -148,6 +148,7 @@ optionsContent.addEventListener("change", event => {
   else if (id === "yearInput") changeYear();
   else if (id === "eraInput") changeEra();
   else if (id === "stateLabelsModeInput") options.stateLabelsMode = value;
+  else if (id === "azgaarAssistant") toggleAssistant();
 });
 
 optionsContent.addEventListener("click", event => {