diff --git a/ipythonblocks/ipythonblocks.py b/ipythonblocks/ipythonblocks.py
index 70f7025..b2addad 100644
--- a/ipythonblocks/ipythonblocks.py
+++ b/ipythonblocks/ipythonblocks.py
@@ -622,9 +622,9 @@ def flash(self, display_time=0.2):
             Amount of time, in seconds, to display the grid.
 
         """
+        clear_output()
         self.show()
         time.sleep(display_time)
-        clear_output()
 
     def to_text(self, filename=None):
         """
diff --git a/ipythonblocks/test/test_misc.py b/ipythonblocks/test/test_misc.py
index 08a9e4e..362d501 100644
--- a/ipythonblocks/test/test_misc.py
+++ b/ipythonblocks/test/test_misc.py
@@ -21,3 +21,14 @@ def test_flatten():
     for i, x in enumerate(ipythonblocks._flatten(thing)):
         assert x == i
 
+
+def test_flash_should_clear_first(monkeypatch):
+    calls = []
+    monkeypatch.setattr(ipythonblocks, "clear_output", lambda: calls.append("clear_output"))
+    monkeypatch.setattr(ipythonblocks.BlockGrid, "show", lambda self: calls.append("show"))
+    monkeypatch.setattr("time.sleep", lambda interval: calls.append("sleep(%d)" % interval))
+    grid = ipythonblocks.BlockGrid(1, 1)
+    grid.flash(3)
+    assert calls[0] == "clear_output"
+    assert calls[1] == "show"
+    assert calls[2] == "sleep(3)"