diff --git a/src/development_hub/workspace.py b/src/development_hub/workspace.py
index 9597242..eb3b7b4 100644
--- a/src/development_hub/workspace.py
+++ b/src/development_hub/workspace.py
@@ -601,6 +601,9 @@ class WorkspaceManager(QWidget):
         if widget_type == "pane":
             pane = self._create_pane()
             pane.restore_tabs(data.get("state", {}))
+            # If pane is empty after restore, add welcome tab
+            if pane.tab_count() == 0:
+                pane.add_welcome_tab()
             return pane
 
         elif widget_type == "splitter":