diff --git a/collects/framework/frame.ss b/collects/framework/frame.ss
index 1cbddbe7..3ef50976 100644
--- a/collects/framework/frame.ss
+++ b/collects/framework/frame.ss
@@ -147,7 +147,12 @@
       (public
 	[get-area-container (lambda () panel)])
       (sequence
-	(set! after-init? #t))))
+	(set! after-init? #t)
+	'(global-defined-value 'open-frames
+			      (cons (make-weak-box this)
+				    (global-defined-value 'open-frames))))))
+
+  '(global-defined-value 'open-frames null)
 
   (define info<%> (interface (basic<%>)
 		    determine-width