diff --git a/modules/default/alert/alert.js b/modules/default/alert/alert.js
index bff91504..084161ac 100644
--- a/modules/default/alert/alert.js
+++ b/modules/default/alert/alert.js
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ Module.register("alert",{
 		//Position
 		position: "center",
 		//shown at startup
-		welcome_message: true,
+		welcome_message: false,
 	},
 	getScripts: function() {
 		return ["classie.js", "modernizr.custom.js", "notificationFx.js"];
diff --git a/modules/default/alert/notificationFx.js b/modules/default/alert/notificationFx.js
index b74c9d14..ca77208d 100644
--- a/modules/default/alert/notificationFx.js
+++ b/modules/default/alert/notificationFx.js
@@ -144,7 +144,10 @@
 				if (ev.target !== self.ntf) return false;
 				this.removeEventListener(animEndEventName, onEndAnimationFn);
 			}
-			self.options.wrapper.removeChild(this);
+
+			if (this.parentNode === self.options.wrapper) {
+				self.options.wrapper.removeChild(this);
+			}
 		};
 
 		if (support.animations) {