--- a/mobile/android/base/java/org/mozilla/gecko/Tabs.java
+++ b/mobile/android/base/java/org/mozilla/gecko/Tabs.java
@@ -22,16 +22,17 @@ import org.mozilla.gecko.db.BrowserDB;
 import org.mozilla.gecko.distribution.PartnerBrowserCustomizationsClient;
 import org.mozilla.gecko.gfx.LayerView;
 import org.mozilla.gecko.mma.MmaDelegate;
 import org.mozilla.gecko.mozglue.SafeIntent;
 import org.mozilla.gecko.notifications.WhatsNewReceiver;
 import org.mozilla.gecko.preferences.GeckoPreferences;
 import org.mozilla.gecko.promotion.AddToHomeScreenPromotion;
 import org.mozilla.gecko.reader.ReaderModeUtils;
+import org.mozilla.gecko.skin.SkinConfig;
 import org.mozilla.gecko.util.BundleEventListener;
 import org.mozilla.gecko.util.EventCallback;
 import org.mozilla.gecko.util.GeckoBundle;
 import org.mozilla.gecko.util.JavaUtil;
 import org.mozilla.gecko.util.ThreadUtils;
 import org.mozilla.gecko.webapps.WebAppActivity;
 
 import android.accounts.Account;
@@ -1109,17 +1110,21 @@ public class Tabs implements BundleEvent
      * Opens a new tab and loads either about:home or, if PREFS_HOMEPAGE_FOR_EVERY_NEW_TAB is set,
      * the user's homepage.
      */
     public Tab addTab() {
         return loadUrl(getHomepageForNewTab(mAppContext), Tabs.LOADURL_NEW_TAB);
     }
 
     public Tab addPrivateTab() {
-        return loadUrl(AboutPages.PRIVATEBROWSING, Tabs.LOADURL_NEW_TAB | Tabs.LOADURL_PRIVATE);
+        if (SkinConfig.isPhoton()) {
+            return loadUrl(getHomepageForNewTab(mAppContext), Tabs.LOADURL_NEW_TAB | Tabs.LOADURL_PRIVATE);
+        } else {
+            return loadUrl(AboutPages.PRIVATEBROWSING, Tabs.LOADURL_NEW_TAB | Tabs.LOADURL_PRIVATE);
+        }
     }
 
     /**
      * Open the url as a new tab, and mark the selected tab as its "parent".
      *
      * If the url is already open in a tab, the existing tab is selected.
      * Use this for tabs opened by the browser chrome, so users can press the
      * "Back" button to return to the previous tab.