diff --git a/ui/js/main.js b/ui/js/main.js
index 544ebb0a2..9d11107d0 100644
--- a/ui/js/main.js
+++ b/ui/js/main.js
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ let init = function() {
 
   function onDaemonReady() {
     window.sessionStorage.setItem('loaded', 'y'); //once we've made it here once per session, we don't need to show splash again
-    ReactDOM.render(<div><AuthOverlay /><App /><SnackBar /></div>, canvas)
+    ReactDOM.render(<div><App /><SnackBar /></div>, canvas)
   }
 
   if (window.sessionStorage.getItem('loaded') == 'y') {
diff --git a/ui/js/page/publish.js b/ui/js/page/publish.js
index 90dbe4504..9267550c9 100644
--- a/ui/js/page/publish.js
+++ b/ui/js/page/publish.js
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ var PublishPage = React.createClass({
         return;
       }
       else {
-        rewards.claimReward(rewards.TYPE_FIRST_PUBLISH)
+        // rewards.claimReward(rewards.TYPE_FIRST_PUBLISH)
       }
     });
   },
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ var PublishPage = React.createClass({
     // Calls API to update displayed list of channels. If a channel name is provided, will select
     // that channel at the same time (used immediately after creating a channel)
     lbry.channel_list_mine().then((channels) => {
-      rewards.claimReward(rewards.TYPE_FIRST_CHANNEL)
+      // rewards.claimReward(rewards.TYPE_FIRST_CHANNEL)
       this.setState({
         channels: channels,
         ... channel ? {channel} : {}