diff --git a/vnpy/chart/widget.py b/vnpy/chart/widget.py
index 45c0b26c..8d6ff343 100644
--- a/vnpy/chart/widget.py
+++ b/vnpy/chart/widget.py
@@ -106,6 +106,10 @@ class ChartWidget(pg.PlotWidget):
         # Store plot object in dict
         self._plots[plot_name] = plot
 
+        # Add plot onto the layout
+        self._layout.nextRow()
+        self._layout.addItem(plot)
+
     def add_item(
         self,
         item_class: Type[ChartItem],
@@ -120,10 +124,8 @@ class ChartWidget(pg.PlotWidget):
 
         plot = self._plots.get(plot_name)
         plot.addItem(item)
-        self._item_plot_map[item] = plot
 
-        self._layout.nextRow()
-        self._layout.addItem(plot)
+        self._item_plot_map[item] = plot
 
     def get_plot(self, plot_name: str) -> pg.PlotItem:
         """