diff --git a/platform/ios/src/MGLMapView.mm b/platform/ios/src/MGLMapView.mm
index fdecf2b24..126328b5f 100644
--- a/platform/ios/src/MGLMapView.mm
+++ b/platform/ios/src/MGLMapView.mm
@@ -2999,7 +2999,7 @@ mbgl::Duration MGLDurationInSeconds(NSTimeInterval duration)
 
 - (void)setShowsUserLocation:(BOOL)showsUserLocation
 {
-    if (showsUserLocation == _showsUserLocation) return;
+    if (showsUserLocation == _showsUserLocation || _isTargetingInterfaceBuilder) return;
 
     _showsUserLocation = showsUserLocation;