diff --git a/ordr2/events.py b/ordr2/events.py
index 411f4ee..f569fe9 100644
--- a/ordr2/events.py
+++ b/ordr2/events.py
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-from pyramid.events import subscriber
+from pyramid.events import NewRequest, subscriber
 
 
 class UserLogIn(object):
@@ -8,12 +8,14 @@ class UserLogIn(object):
 
 
 @subscriber(UserLogIn)
+@subscriber(NewRequest)
 def set_display_defaults(event):
-    defaults = {
-        'users': {
-            'first': True,
-            'last': True,
-            'email': True,
+    if event.request.user and 'display' not in event.request.session:
+        defaults = {
+            'users': {
+                'first': True,
+                'last': True,
+                'email': True,
+                }
             }
-        }
-    event.request.session['display'] = defaults
+        event.request.session['display'] = defaults
diff --git a/ordr2/views/__init__.py b/ordr2/views/__init__.py
index e903c81..435f66b 100644
--- a/ordr2/views/__init__.py
+++ b/ordr2/views/__init__.py
@@ -10,6 +10,18 @@ def flash(request, channel, message, description='', dismissable=True):
     request.session.flash(msg, channel, allow_duplicate=False)
 
 
+def update_column_display(request, section):
+    ''' update the session values for wich columns to display '''
+    if section not in request.session['display']:
+        return
+    display_keys = request.session['display'][section].keys()
+    display = dict.fromkeys(display_keys, False)
+    for column in request.POST.values():
+        if column in display:
+            display[column] = True
+    request.session['display'][section] = display
+
+
 def includeme(config):
     ''' adding request helpers and static views '''
     config.add_request_method(flash, 'flash')
diff --git a/ordr2/views/admin.py b/ordr2/views/admin.py
index 9e947dd..4234e6c 100644
--- a/ordr2/views/admin.py
+++ b/ordr2/views/admin.py
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ from pyramid.view import view_config
 from ordr2.models import User, Role
 from ordr2.schemas.account import UserSchema
 
+from . import update_column_display
+
 # user log in and log out
 
 @view_config(
@@ -53,14 +55,7 @@ def user_list(context, request):
     )
 def change_column_view(context, request):
     ''' changes the columns to display '''
-    display = {
-        'first': False,
-        'last': False,
-        'email': False
-        }
-    columns = [col for key, col in request.POST.items() if key == 'display']
-    display.update({ column: True for column in columns })
-    request.session['display']['users'] = display
+    update_column_display(request, 'users')
     return HTTPFound(context.url())