diff --git a/cmd/present/static/slides.js b/cmd/present/static/slides.js
index a48ec529..3697b4ec 100644
--- a/cmd/present/static/slides.js
+++ b/cmd/present/static/slides.js
@@ -399,6 +399,7 @@ function handleBodyKeyDown(event) {
 
   switch (event.keyCode) {
     case 72: // 'H' hides the help text
+    case 27: // escape key
       if (!inCode) hideHelpText();
       break;
 
@@ -483,6 +484,10 @@ function handleDomLoaded() {
 
   setupInteraction();
 
+  if (window.location.hostname == "localhost" || window.location.hostname == "127.0.0.1" || window.location.hostname == "::1") {
+    hideHelpText();
+  }
+
   document.body.classList.add('loaded');
 };