diff --git a/panel/pane/ipywidget.py b/panel/pane/ipywidget.py
index c93659b2c8..3cbdcfea59 100644
--- a/panel/pane/ipywidget.py
+++ b/panel/pane/ipywidget.py
@@ -63,7 +63,8 @@ def _get_ipywidget(self, obj, doc, root, comm, **kwargs):
                 widgets = (obj._active_widgets if hasattr(obj, '_active_widgets') else obj.widgets).values()
                 for w in widgets:
                     w.comm.kernel = kernel
-                    w.comm.open()
+                    if w.comm._closed:
+                        w.comm.open()
 
         model = IPyWidget(widget=obj, **kwargs)
         return model