diff --git a/app/javascript/mastodon/initial_state.js b/app/javascript/mastodon/initial_state.js
index 8751a56367..4c6922f9b4 100644
--- a/app/javascript/mastodon/initial_state.js
+++ b/app/javascript/mastodon/initial_state.js
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ export const boostModal = getMeta('boost_modal');
 export const deleteModal = getMeta('delete_modal');
 export const me = getMeta('me');
 export const searchEnabled = getMeta('search_enabled');
-export const maxChars = getMeta('max_toot_chars') || 500;
+export const maxChars = (initialState && initialState.max_toot_chars) || 500;
 export const invitesEnabled = getMeta('invites_enabled');
 export const version = getMeta('version');