diff --git a/pudb/debugger.py b/pudb/debugger.py
index a221a2a1..9165de5d 100644
--- a/pudb/debugger.py
+++ b/pudb/debugger.py
@@ -90,6 +90,7 @@ def newfunc(*fargs, **fkeywords):
     +/- - grow/shrink sidebar
     _/= - minimize/maximize sidebar
     [/] - grow/shrink relative size of active sidebar box
+    Ctrl-^ - toggle sidebar display
 
 Keys in variables list:
     \ - expand/collapse
@@ -673,6 +674,8 @@ def clear_cmdline_history(btn):
             urwid.AttrMap(self.columns, "background"),
             header))
 
+        self._toggle_sidebar(CONFIG["sidebar_visible"])
+
         # }}}
 
         def change_rhs_box(name, index, direction, w, size, key):
@@ -1614,6 +1617,17 @@ def shrink_sidebar(w, size, key):
                 self.columns.column_types[1] = "weight", weight
                 self.columns._invalidate()
 
+        def toggle_sidebar(w, size, key):
+            from pudb.settings import save_config
+
+            CONFIG["sidebar_visible"] = not CONFIG["sidebar_visible"]
+            save_config(CONFIG)
+
+            if not CONFIG["sidebar_visible"]:
+                self.columns.set_focus(self.lhs_col)
+
+            self._toggle_sidebar(CONFIG["sidebar_visible"])
+
         self.rhs_col_sigwrap.listen("=", max_sidebar)
         self.rhs_col_sigwrap.listen("+", grow_sidebar)
         self.rhs_col_sigwrap.listen("_", min_sidebar)
@@ -1697,6 +1711,14 @@ def __init__(self, idx):
                 self.idx = idx
 
             def __call__(subself, w, size, key):
+                from pudb.settings import save_config
+
+                # ensure sidebar is visible when focussing rh columns
+                if not CONFIG["sidebar_visible"]:
+                    CONFIG["sidebar_visible"] = True
+                    save_config(CONFIG)
+                    self._toggle_sidebar(CONFIG["sidebar_visible"])
+
                 self.columns.set_focus(self.rhs_col_sigwrap)
                 self.rhs_col.set_focus(self.rhs_col.widget_list[subself.idx])
 
@@ -1722,6 +1744,7 @@ def help(w, size, key):
         self.top.listen("V", RHColumnFocuser(0))
         self.top.listen("S", RHColumnFocuser(1))
         self.top.listen("B", RHColumnFocuser(2))
+        self.top.listen("ctrl ^", toggle_sidebar)
 
         self.top.listen("q", quit)
         self.top.listen("ctrl p", do_edit_config)
@@ -1860,6 +1883,15 @@ def __call__(subself, w, size, key):
 
         return self.event_loop(w)[0]
 
+    def _toggle_sidebar(self, visible):
+        if visible:
+            self.columns.dividechars = 1
+            self.columns.column_types[1] = "weight", float(CONFIG["sidebar_width"])
+        else:
+            self.columns.dividechars = 0
+            self.columns.column_types[1] = "given", 0
+        self.columns._invalidate()
+
     @staticmethod
     def setup_palette(screen):
         may_use_fancy_formats = not hasattr(urwid.escape, "_fg_attr_xterm")
diff --git a/pudb/settings.py b/pudb/settings.py
index 96b4adaf..77fa57f9 100644
--- a/pudb/settings.py
+++ b/pudb/settings.py
@@ -76,6 +76,7 @@ def load_config():
     conf_dict.setdefault("wrap_variables", True)
 
     conf_dict.setdefault("display", "auto")
+    conf_dict.setdefault("sidebar_visible", True)
 
     conf_dict.setdefault("prompt_on_quit", True)
 
@@ -91,6 +92,7 @@ def normalize_bool_inplace(name):
     normalize_bool_inplace("line_numbers")
     normalize_bool_inplace("wrap_variables")
     normalize_bool_inplace("prompt_on_quit")
+    normalize_bool_inplace("sidebar_visible")
 
     return conf_dict