diff --git a/assets/js/page-template.js b/assets/js/page-template.js
index 25713d3d..4ac0daca 100644
--- a/assets/js/page-template.js
+++ b/assets/js/page-template.js
@@ -111,10 +111,11 @@
 
     if (!hasToc) {
       tocWidgets.forEach(function (box) {
-        var host = box.closest('.widget') || box.parentElement;
-        // Prefer removing the whole widget chrome when empty.
-        if (host && host !== document.body && host.querySelectorAll('.posts-nav-box').length <= 1) {
-          host.remove();
+        var widget = box.closest('.widget');
+        // A built-in TOC is a direct child of the article sidebar.  Its parent
+        // is therefore not widget chrome and must never be removed here.
+        if (widget && widget !== document.body && widget.querySelectorAll('.posts-nav-box').length <= 1) {
+          widget.remove();
         } else {
           box.remove();
         }