diff --git a/src/wp-admin/js/customize-widgets.js b/src/wp-admin/js/customize-widgets.js
index 8edc02c12f..bd257575ac 100644
--- a/src/wp-admin/js/customize-widgets.js
+++ b/src/wp-admin/js/customize-widgets.js
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 		l10n;
 
 	api.Widgets = api.Widgets || {};
+	api.Widgets.savedWidgetIds = {};
 
 	// Link settings
 	api.Widgets.data = _wpCustomizeWidgetsSettings || {};
@@ -523,8 +524,6 @@
 		_setupModel: function() {
 			var self = this, rememberSavedWidgetId;
 
-			api.Widgets.savedWidgetIds = api.Widgets.savedWidgetIds || [];
-
 			// Remember saved widgets so we know which to trash (move to inactive widgets sidebar)
 			rememberSavedWidgetId = function() {
 				api.Widgets.savedWidgetIds[self.params.widget_id] = true;