diff --git a/frappe/public/js/form_builder/FormBuilder.vue b/frappe/public/js/form_builder/FormBuilder.vue
index a779097c6a..2c61ce1535 100644
--- a/frappe/public/js/form_builder/FormBuilder.vue
+++ b/frappe/public/js/form_builder/FormBuilder.vue
@@ -172,8 +172,6 @@ onMounted(() => store.fetch());
 	}
 
 	:deep(.preview) {
-		--field-placeholder-color: var(--fg-bg-color);
-
 		.tab,
 		.column,
 		.field {
diff --git a/frappe/public/js/form_builder/components/Section.vue b/frappe/public/js/form_builder/components/Section.vue
index b9ffc7b7f4..cdb9a87d12 100644
--- a/frappe/public/js/form_builder/components/Section.vue
+++ b/frappe/public/js/form_builder/components/Section.vue
@@ -156,9 +156,6 @@ function move_sections_to_tab() {
 			>
 				<draggable
 					class="section-columns-container"
-					:style="{
-						backgroundColor: section.columns.length ? null : 'var(--field-placeholder-color)'
-					}"
 					v-model="section.columns"
 					group="columns"
 					item-key="id"
diff --git a/frappe/public/js/form_builder/components/Sidebar.vue b/frappe/public/js/form_builder/components/Sidebar.vue
index 6c084186e2..1683237ae7 100644
--- a/frappe/public/js/form_builder/components/Sidebar.vue
+++ b/frappe/public/js/form_builder/components/Sidebar.vue
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ function resize(e) {
 	<div class="sidebar-container" :style="{ width: `${sidebar_width}px` }">
 		<FieldProperties v-if="store.form.selected_field" />
 		<div class="default-state" v-else>
-			<div class="actions" v-if="store.form.layout.tabs.length == 1">
+			<div class="actions" v-if="store.form.layout.tabs.length == 1 && !store.read_only">
 				<button
 					class="new-tab-btn btn btn-default btn-xs"
 					:title="__('Add new tab')"
diff --git a/frappe/public/js/form_builder/components/Tabs.vue b/frappe/public/js/form_builder/components/Tabs.vue
index 88851ec4f9..b5b03e7ece 100644
--- a/frappe/public/js/form_builder/components/Tabs.vue
+++ b/frappe/public/js/form_builder/components/Tabs.vue
@@ -127,6 +127,7 @@ function delete_tab(with_children) {
 						class="remove-tab-btn btn btn-xs"
 						:title="__('Remove tab')"
 						@click.stop="remove_tab"
+						:hidden="store.read_only"
 					>
 						<div v-html="frappe.utils.icon('remove', 'xs')"></div>
 					</button>