diff --git a/IPython/html/templates/notebook.html b/IPython/html/templates/notebook.html
index 27e26e2..49dcf03 100644
--- a/IPython/html/templates/notebook.html
+++ b/IPython/html/templates/notebook.html
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ class="notebook_app"
 </span>
 
 <span id="kernel_logo_widget">
-  <img class="current_kernel_logo" src=""/>
+  <img class="current_kernel_logo" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7"/>
 </span>
 
 {% endblock headercontainer %}