diff --git a/jdaviz/configs/default/plugins/plot_options/plot_options.py b/jdaviz/configs/default/plugins/plot_options/plot_options.py
index 819977d6d6..98fc2a96a6 100644
--- a/jdaviz/configs/default/plugins/plot_options/plot_options.py
+++ b/jdaviz/configs/default/plugins/plot_options/plot_options.py
@@ -97,6 +97,7 @@ class PlotOptions(PluginTemplateMixin):
       not exposed for Specviz. This only applies when ``contour_mode`` is "Custom".
     """
     template_file = __file__, "plot_options.vue"
+    uses_active_status = Bool(True).tag(sync=True)
 
     # multiselect is shared between viewer and layer
     multiselect = Bool(False).tag(sync=True)
@@ -479,7 +480,7 @@ def vue_set_value(self, data):
         value = data.get('value')
         setattr(self, attr_name, value)
 
-    @observe('plugin_opened', 'layer_selected', 'viewer_selected',
+    @observe('is_active', 'layer_selected', 'viewer_selected',
              'stretch_hist_zoom_limits')
     def _update_stretch_histogram(self, msg={}):
         if not self.stretch_function_sync.get('in_subscribed_states'):  # pragma: no cover
@@ -488,7 +489,7 @@ def _update_stretch_histogram(self, msg={}):
         if not hasattr(self, 'viewer'):  # pragma: no cover
             # plugin hasn't been fully initialized yet
             return
-        if (not self.plugin_opened
+        if (not self.is_active
                 or not self.viewer.selected
                 or not self.layer.selected):  # pragma: no cover
             # no need to make updates, updates will be redrawn when plugin is opened
diff --git a/jdaviz/configs/default/plugins/plot_options/plot_options.vue b/jdaviz/configs/default/plugins/plot_options/plot_options.vue
index da7f256747..0d9069dd40 100644
--- a/jdaviz/configs/default/plugins/plot_options/plot_options.vue
+++ b/jdaviz/configs/default/plugins/plot_options/plot_options.vue
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@
   <j-tray-plugin
     description='Viewer and data/layer options.'
     :link="'https://jdaviz.readthedocs.io/en/'+vdocs+'/'+config+'/plugins.html#plot-options'"
+    :uses_active_status="uses_active_status"
+    @plugin-ping="plugin_ping($event)"
     :popout_button="popout_button">
 
     <v-row>