Index: src/wp-content/themes/twentyseventeen/assets/js/customize-preview.js
===================================================================
--- src/wp-content/themes/twentyseventeen/assets/js/customize-preview.js	(revision 39370)
+++ src/wp-content/themes/twentyseventeen/assets/js/customize-preview.js	(working copy)
@@ -8,6 +8,10 @@
 
 	// Collect information from customize-controls.js about which panels are opening.
 	wp.customize.bind( 'preview-ready', function() {
+		
+		// Initially hide the theme option placeholders on load
+		$( '.panel-placeholder' ).hide();
+		
 		wp.customize.preview.bind( 'section-highlight', function( data ) {
 
 			// Only on the front page.