yes, it is normal the behavior...

How to get around it, with a thanks to DBlank...
put the subreport in it's own section. I am guessing that there shared variables involved...but suppress all the output on the SUBREPORT...so that it shows blank, but the values are being calculated.

now in the main report, in section expert, select the option for suppress section if blank...voila

you section will not show, but you calculation will occur.

HTH