diff --git a/slick.grid.js b/slick.grid.js
index 56451f58..ea867652 100644
--- a/slick.grid.js
+++ b/slick.grid.js
@@ -1987,7 +1987,7 @@ if (typeof Slick === "undefined") {
 
       var oldViewportHasVScroll = viewportHasVScroll;
       // with autoHeight, we do not need to accommodate the vertical scroll bar
-      viewportHasVScroll = !options.autoHeight && (numberOfRows * options.rowHeight > viewportH);
+      viewportHasVScroll = options.alwaysShowVerticalScroll || !options.autoHeight && (numberOfRows * options.rowHeight > viewportH);
       viewportHasHScroll = (canvasWidth > viewportW - scrollbarDimensions.width);
 
       makeActiveCellNormal();