diff --git a/notebook/static/notebook/js/cell.js b/notebook/static/notebook/js/cell.js
index 2b8ab238d..46810b488 100644
--- a/notebook/static/notebook/js/cell.js
+++ b/notebook/static/notebook/js/cell.js
@@ -489,6 +489,15 @@ define([
         var data = {};
         // deepcopy the metadata so copied cells don't share the same object
         data.metadata = JSON.parse(JSON.stringify(this.metadata));
+        if (data.metadata.deletable) {
+            delete data.metadata.deletable;
+        }
+        if (data.metadata.editable) {
+            delete data.metadata.editable;
+        }
+        if (data.metadata.collapsed === false) {
+            delete data.metadata.collapsed;
+        }
         data.cell_type = this.cell_type;
         return data;
     };
diff --git a/notebook/static/notebook/js/codecell.js b/notebook/static/notebook/js/codecell.js
index 435caa471..1cb10b85c 100644
--- a/notebook/static/notebook/js/codecell.js
+++ b/notebook/static/notebook/js/codecell.js
@@ -535,7 +535,11 @@ define([
         var outputs = this.output_area.toJSON();
         data.outputs = outputs;
         data.metadata.trusted = this.output_area.trusted;
-        data.metadata.collapsed = this.output_area.collapsed;
+        if (this.output_area.collapsed) {
+            data.metadata.collapsed = this.output_area.collapsed;
+        } else {
+            delete data.metadata.collapsed;
+        }
         if (this.output_area.scroll_state === 'auto') {
             delete data.metadata.scrolled;
         } else {