diff --git a/gtk/gtkdialog.c b/gtk/gtkdialog.c
index 6aae900303..931ac617fe 100644
--- a/gtk/gtkdialog.c
+++ b/gtk/gtkdialog.c
@@ -349,6 +349,7 @@ update_spacings (GtkDialog *dialog)
                         "action-area-border", &action_area_border,
                         NULL);
 
+  
   gtk_container_set_border_width (GTK_CONTAINER (priv->vbox),
                                   content_area_border);
   if (!_gtk_box_get_spacing_set (GTK_BOX (priv->vbox)))
@@ -397,6 +398,8 @@ gtk_dialog_init (GtkDialog *dialog)
   gtk_window_set_type_hint (GTK_WINDOW (dialog),
 			    GDK_WINDOW_TYPE_HINT_DIALOG);
   gtk_window_set_position (GTK_WINDOW (dialog), GTK_WIN_POS_CENTER_ON_PARENT);
+
+  update_spacings (dialog);
 }
 
 static GtkBuildableIface *parent_buildable_iface;