diff --git a/lib/ace/layer/cursor.js b/lib/ace/layer/cursor.js
index 224b638f..2bde0115 100644
--- a/lib/ace/layer/cursor.js
+++ b/lib/ace/layer/cursor.js
@@ -120,14 +120,13 @@ var Cursor = function(parentEl) {
         this.cursor.style.width = config.characterWidth + "px";
         this.cursor.style.height = config.lineHeight + "px";
 
-        if (this.isVisible) {
-            this.element.appendChild(this.cursor);
-        }
-
-        if (this.session.getOverwrite()) {
-            dom.addCssClass(this.cursor, "ace_overwrite");
-        } else {
-            dom.removeCssClass(this.cursor, "ace_overwrite");
+        var overwrite = this.session.getOverwrite()
+        if (overwrite != this.overwrite) {
+            this.overwrite = overwrite;
+            if (overwrite)
+                dom.addCssClass(this.cursor, "ace_overwrite");
+            else
+                dom.removeCssClass(this.cursor, "ace_overwrite");
         }
 
         this.restartTimer();