diff --git a/gerrit-server/src/main/java/com/google/gerrit/server/project/RefControl.java b/gerrit-server/src/main/java/com/google/gerrit/server/project/RefControl.java
index 4e6f626e08..229b062103 100644
--- a/gerrit-server/src/main/java/com/google/gerrit/server/project/RefControl.java
+++ b/gerrit-server/src/main/java/com/google/gerrit/server/project/RefControl.java
@@ -58,6 +58,7 @@ public class RefControl {
   private Boolean owner;
   private Boolean canForgeAuthor;
   private Boolean canForgeCommitter;
+  private Boolean isVisible;
 
   RefControl(ProjectControl projectControl, String ref,
       PermissionCollection relevant) {
@@ -103,8 +104,12 @@ public class RefControl {
 
   /** Can this user see this reference exists? */
   public boolean isVisible() {
-    return (getCurrentUser() instanceof InternalUser || canPerform(Permission.READ))
-        && canRead();
+    if (isVisible == null) {
+      isVisible =
+          (getCurrentUser() instanceof InternalUser || canPerform(Permission.READ))
+              && canRead();
+    }
+    return isVisible;
   }
 
   /**