diff --git a/collects/mred/private/wx/gtk/canvas.rkt b/collects/mred/private/wx/gtk/canvas.rkt
index 988b58dd95..5f73c3153b 100644
--- a/collects/mred/private/wx/gtk/canvas.rkt
+++ b/collects/mred/private/wx/gtk/canvas.rkt
@@ -345,6 +345,10 @@
           (let ([client-gtk (as-gtk-allocation (gtk_drawing_area_new))])
             (values client-gtk client-gtk client-gtk #f #f #f #f #f #f 0))])))
 
+     (define for-gl? (memq 'gl style))
+     (when for-gl?
+       (prepare-widget-gl-context client-gtk gl-config))
+
      (super-new [parent parent]
                 [gtk gtk]
                 [client-gtk client-gtk]
@@ -369,10 +373,6 @@
      
      (define dc (new dc% [canvas this] [transparent? (memq 'transparent style)]))
 
-     (define for-gl? (memq 'gl style))
-     (when for-gl?
-       (prepare-widget-gl-context client-gtk gl-config))
-
      (gtk_widget_realize gtk)
      (gtk_widget_realize client-gtk)