diff --git a/addons/maptools/XEH_postInitClient.sqf b/addons/maptools/XEH_postInitClient.sqf
index c7dceacd759..3eb33afafa9 100644
--- a/addons/maptools/XEH_postInitClient.sqf
+++ b/addons/maptools/XEH_postInitClient.sqf
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ GVAR(mapTool_pos) = [0,0];
 GVAR(mapTool_angle) = 0;
 GVAR(mapTool_isDragging) = false;
 GVAR(mapTool_isRotating) = false;
+GVAR(mapTool_isFirstShown) = true;  // used to display it in center of screen when first opened
 
 //Install the event handers for the map tools on the main in-game map
 [{!isNull findDisplay 12},
diff --git a/addons/maptools/functions/fnc_handleMouseMove.sqf b/addons/maptools/functions/fnc_handleMouseMove.sqf
index 6ba8e1938c9..50b64a21a36 100644
--- a/addons/maptools/functions/fnc_handleMouseMove.sqf
+++ b/addons/maptools/functions/fnc_handleMouseMove.sqf
@@ -29,6 +29,12 @@ if (GVAR(mapTool_Shown) == 0) exitWith {false};
 
 private _mousePosition = _control ctrlMapScreenToWorld [_mousePosX, _mousePosY];
 
+// open map tools in center of screen upon first open
+if (GVAR(mapTool_isFirstShown)) then {
+    GVAR(mapTool_pos) = _mousePosition;
+    GVAR(mapTool_isFirstShown) = false;  // we only need to do this once
+};
+
 // Translation
 if (GVAR(mapTool_isDragging)) exitWith {
     GVAR(mapTool_pos) set [0, (GVAR(mapTool_startPos) select 0) + (_mousePosition select 0) - (GVAR(mapTool_startDragPos) select 0)];