diff --git a/app/assets/javascripts/protocols/steps.js.erb b/app/assets/javascripts/protocols/steps.js.erb
index 8ab161fbe..c67b17064 100644
--- a/app/assets/javascripts/protocols/steps.js.erb
+++ b/app/assets/javascripts/protocols/steps.js.erb
@@ -364,6 +364,7 @@
       });
       toggleButtons(true);
       DragNDropSteps.clearFiles();
+      tinyMCE.editors.step_description_textarea.remove();
     });
   }
 
@@ -501,9 +502,13 @@
             initializeCheckboxSorting();
 
             $('#step_name').focus();
-            $('#new-step-main-tab a').on('shown.bs.tab', function() {
-              $('#step_name').focus();
-            });
+            $('#new-step-main-tab a')
+              .on('shown.bs.tab', function() {
+                $('#step_name').focus();
+                TinyMCE.init('#step_description_textarea');
+              }).on('hidden.bs.tab', function() {
+                tinyMCE.editors.step_description_textarea.remove();
+              });
 
             TinyMCE.init('#step_description_textarea');
           });