diff --git a/src/vs/base/browser/ui/splitview/paneview.ts b/src/vs/base/browser/ui/splitview/paneview.ts
index f72ed5d8a9..c416ccca87 100644
--- a/src/vs/base/browser/ui/splitview/paneview.ts
+++ b/src/vs/base/browser/ui/splitview/paneview.ts
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ export abstract class Pane extends Disposable implements IView {
 	constructor(options: IPaneOptions) {
 		super();
 		this._expanded = typeof options.expanded === 'undefined' ? true : !!options.expanded;
-		this._orientation = typeof options.orientation === 'undefined' ? Orientation.VERTICAL : Orientation.HORIZONTAL;
+		this._orientation = typeof options.orientation === 'undefined' ? Orientation.VERTICAL : options.orientation;
 		this.ariaHeaderLabel = localize('viewSection', "{0} Section", options.title);
 		this._minimumBodySize = typeof options.minimumBodySize === 'number' ? options.minimumBodySize : 120;
 		this._maximumBodySize = typeof options.maximumBodySize === 'number' ? options.maximumBodySize : Number.POSITIVE_INFINITY;