diff --git a/gtk/gtkcolorplane.c b/gtk/gtkcolorplane.c
index 0e37406812..cfb9a5983b 100644
--- a/gtk/gtkcolorplane.c
+++ b/gtk/gtkcolorplane.c
@@ -181,6 +181,14 @@ plane_size_allocate (GtkWidget     *widget,
   create_surface (GTK_COLOR_PLANE (widget));
 }
 
+static void
+plane_realize (GtkWidget *widget)
+{
+  GTK_WIDGET_CLASS (gtk_color_plane_parent_class)->realize (widget);
+
+  create_surface (GTK_COLOR_PLANE (widget));
+}
+
 static void
 set_cross_cursor (GtkWidget *widget,
                   gboolean   enabled)
@@ -491,6 +499,7 @@ gtk_color_plane_class_init (GtkColorPlaneClass *class)
 
   widget_class->draw = plane_draw;
   widget_class->size_allocate = plane_size_allocate;
+  widget_class->realize = plane_realize;
   widget_class->key_press_event = plane_key_press;
 
   g_object_class_install_property (object_class,