Index: /src/org/openstreetmap/josm/data/Preferences.java
===================================================================
--- /src/org/openstreetmap/josm/data/Preferences.java	(revision 173)
+++ /src/org/openstreetmap/josm/data/Preferences.java	(revision 174)
@@ -147,4 +147,5 @@
 		properties.put("laf", "javax.swing.plaf.metal.MetalLookAndFeel");
 		properties.put("projection", "org.openstreetmap.josm.data.projection.Epsg4326");
+		properties.put("propertiesdialog.visible", "true");
 		properties.put("osm-server.url", "http://www.openstreetmap.org/api");
 		properties.put("color."+marktr("background"), ColorHelper.color2html(Color.black));