You can add the applet to start automatically in your panel by:
1. navigate to System...Preferences...Sessions in the menu
2. Click 'Add'
3. type 'nm-applet --sm-disable' in the "Command" text box (Name and Comment can be whatever you want)
4. Click 'Add'
5. Click 'Close'
I have not seen the same behavior.
You can add the applet to start automatically in your panel by: ..Preferences. ..Sessions in the menu
1. navigate to System.
2. Click 'Add'
3. type 'nm-applet --sm-disable' in the "Command" text box (Name and Comment can be whatever you want)
4. Click 'Add'
5. Click 'Close'