diff --git a/pkgs/gui-pkgs/gui-lib/mred/private/wx/common/backing-dc.rkt b/pkgs/gui-pkgs/gui-lib/mred/private/wx/common/backing-dc.rkt
index e0745e90..5bc6ef6c 100644
--- a/pkgs/gui-pkgs/gui-lib/mred/private/wx/common/backing-dc.rkt
+++ b/pkgs/gui-pkgs/gui-lib/mred/private/wx/common/backing-dc.rkt
@@ -241,8 +241,6 @@
               (cairo_matrix_init_translate m 0 0)
               (cairo_matrix_scale m sc sc)
               (cairo_pattern_set_matrix (cairo_get_source cr) m))))
-        (cairo_new_path cr)
-        (cairo_rectangle cr 0 0 w h)
-        (cairo_fill cr)
+        (cairo_paint cr)
         (cairo_set_source cr s)
         (cairo_pattern_destroy s))))