diff --git a/src/galleria.js b/src/galleria.js
index 0bca30fb..c994317b 100644
--- a/src/galleria.js
+++ b/src/galleria.js
@@ -2695,10 +2695,10 @@ Galleria.prototype = {
                 self._userRatio = self._ratio = self._options.height;
             }
 
-            // the gallery is ready, let's just wait for the css
+            // the gallery is ready, let's just wait for the css or use config by default
             var num = { width: 0, height: 0 };
             var testHeight = function() {
-                return self.$( 'stage' ).height();
+                return self._options.height || self.$( 'stage' ).height();
             };
 
             // check container and thumbnail height
@@ -6963,4 +6963,4 @@ $.fn.galleria = function( options ) {
 
 // phew
 
-}( jQuery ) );
\ No newline at end of file
+}( jQuery ) );