diff --git a/src/mbgl/map/map_context.cpp b/src/mbgl/map/map_context.cpp
index 23bb5f590..61614dd0e 100644
--- a/src/mbgl/map/map_context.cpp
+++ b/src/mbgl/map/map_context.cpp
@@ -133,6 +133,9 @@ void MapContext::loadStyleJSON(const std::string& json, const std::string& base)
     style->setJSON(json, base);
     style->setObserver(this);
 
+    // force style cascade, causing all pending transitions to complete.
+    style->cascade();
+
     updated |= static_cast<UpdateType>(Update::DefaultTransitionDuration);
     updated |= static_cast<UpdateType>(Update::Classes);
     updated |= static_cast<UpdateType>(Update::Zoom);