diff --git a/.changeset/ninety-numbers-glow.md b/.changeset/ninety-numbers-glow.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..27b70792c6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/ninety-numbers-glow.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+'@graphiql/react': patch
+---
+
+Use headers from previous tabs, if available
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index ba1da9cba2..deb639616f 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-
 <!-- @format -->
 
 # GraphQL IDE Monorepo
diff --git a/packages/graphiql-react/src/stores/editor.ts b/packages/graphiql-react/src/stores/editor.ts
index d553e1027a..756e8f0ff5 100644
--- a/packages/graphiql-react/src/stores/editor.ts
+++ b/packages/graphiql-react/src/stores/editor.ts
@@ -351,8 +351,10 @@ export const createEditorSlice: CreateEditorSlice = initial => (set, get) => {
           tabs,
           activeTabIndex,
         });
+        const headers =
+          defaultHeaders || tabs.find(tab => tab.headers)?.headers;
         const updated = {
-          tabs: [...updatedValues.tabs, createTab({ headers: defaultHeaders })],
+          tabs: [...updatedValues.tabs, createTab({ headers })],
           activeTabIndex: updatedValues.tabs.length,
         };
         actions.storeTabs(updated);