diff --git a/collects/framework/private/main.ss b/collects/framework/private/main.ss
index 2af80d9cca..c3ae4ff94e 100644
--- a/collects/framework/private/main.ss
+++ b/collects/framework/private/main.ss
@@ -258,6 +258,7 @@
       (preferences:add-callback 'framework:default-text-color
                                 (λ (p v)
                                   (editor:set-default-font-color v)))
+      (editor:set-default-font-color (preferences:get 'framework:default-text-color))
       
       ;; groups