diff --git a/src/mermaid.js b/src/mermaid.js
index 276e8f3..0d9ad1d 100644
--- a/src/mermaid.js
+++ b/src/mermaid.js
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import {uid} from "./dom/uid.js";
 
 export async function mermaid(require) {
   const mer = await require(merd.resolve());
-  mer.initialize({securityLevel: "loose", theme: "neutral"});
+  mer.initialize({securityLevel: "loose", theme: "neutral", startOnLoad: false});
   return function mermaid() {
     const root = document.createElement("div");
     root.innerHTML = mer.render(uid().id, String.raw.apply(String, arguments));