diff --git a/src/Terminal.ts b/src/Terminal.ts
index 493e48bc..58fde2f9 100644
--- a/src/Terminal.ts
+++ b/src/Terminal.ts
@@ -649,9 +649,8 @@ export class Terminal extends EventEmitter implements ITerminal, IInputHandlingT
    * Opens the terminal within an element.
    *
    * @param {HTMLElement} parent The element to create the terminal within.
-   * @param {boolean} focus Focus the terminal, after it gets instantiated in the DOM
    */
-  private open(parent: HTMLElement, focus?: boolean): void {
+  public open(parent: HTMLElement): void {
     let i = 0;
     let div;
 
@@ -759,10 +758,6 @@ export class Terminal extends EventEmitter implements ITerminal, IInputHandlingT
     // Initialize global actions that need to be taken on the document.
     this.initGlobal();
 
-    if (focus) {
-      this.focus();
-    }
-
     // Listen for mouse events and translate
     // them into terminal mouse protocols.
     this.bindMouse();