diff --git a/notebook/static/base/js/utils.js b/notebook/static/base/js/utils.js
index 17ccc8e72..af1ad2d7a 100644
--- a/notebook/static/base/js/utils.js
+++ b/notebook/static/base/js/utils.js
@@ -1103,6 +1103,10 @@ define([
         link.type = 'image/x-icon';
         link.rel = 'shortcut icon';
         link.href = utils.url_path_join(utils.get_body_data('baseUrl'), src);
+        if (link.href === oldLink.href) {
+            // This favicon is already set, don't modify the DOM.
+            return;
+        }
         if (oldLink) document.head.removeChild(oldLink);
         document.head.appendChild(link);
     };
diff --git a/notebook/static/notebook/js/notificationarea.js b/notebook/static/notebook/js/notificationarea.js
index bbcb46a5c..ed183db42 100644
--- a/notebook/static/notebook/js/notificationarea.js
+++ b/notebook/static/notebook/js/notificationarea.js
@@ -42,11 +42,19 @@ define([
         var $modal_ind_icon = $("#modal_indicator");
         var $readonly_ind_icon = $('#readonly-indicator');
         var $body = $('body');
+        var busy_favicon_timer = -1;
         
         var set_busy_favicon = function(on) {
             if (on) {
-                utils.change_favicon('/static/base/images/favicon-busy-1.ico');
+                // Only show the busy icon if execution lasts > 1s
+                // This is to avoid rapidly switching icons and making lots of
+                // HTTP requests.
+                clearTimeout(busy_favicon_timer);
+                busy_favicon_timer = setTimeout(function() {
+                    utils.change_favicon('/static/base/images/favicon-busy-1.ico');
+                }, 1000);
             } else {
+                clearTimeout(busy_favicon_timer);
                 utils.change_favicon('/static/base/images/favicon-notebook.ico');
             }
         };