There is provided a hydraulic excavator in which invasion of a design surface by a work implement can be suppressed. A boom-lowering proportional solenoid valve is provided in a boom-lowering pilot conduit connected to a boom-lowering pilot port. A first pressure sensor detects a pressure generated in the boom-lowering pilot conduit between a control lever and the boom-lowering proportional solenoid valve. A controller controls an opening degree of the boom-lowering proportional solenoid valve based on the pressure detected by the first pressure sensor. The controller gently increases, from zero, a current value outputted to the boom-lowering proportional solenoid valve.