diff --git a/gtk/gtkflowbox.c b/gtk/gtkflowbox.c
index 96d57f2488..e9c6367f40 100644
--- a/gtk/gtkflowbox.c
+++ b/gtk/gtkflowbox.c
@@ -3077,9 +3077,9 @@ gtk_flow_box_realize (GtkWidget *widget)
 
   window = gdk_window_new (gtk_widget_get_parent_window (GTK_WIDGET (box)),
                            &attributes, GDK_WA_X | GDK_WA_Y);
-  gtk_style_context_set_background (gtk_widget_get_style_context (GTK_WIDGET (box)), window);
   gtk_widget_register_window (GTK_WIDGET (box), window);
   gtk_widget_set_window (GTK_WIDGET (box), window);
+  gtk_style_context_set_background (gtk_widget_get_style_context (GTK_WIDGET (box)), window);
 }
 
 static void