Indeed, it is the default behavior. However, for me, it isn't the desired one. I'd like to display a kind of a splash screen all the time it's required. The current behavior allows a user to dismiss the screen at any time before my app is ready to go on. With the screen gone, I have no way to tell the user what is going on with the app.
Again, I've found a way out. It might not be the perfect one, but still.