diff --git a/common/draw_panel_gal.cpp b/common/draw_panel_gal.cpp
index f68e52f0f0..fa0ef8e422 100644
--- a/common/draw_panel_gal.cpp
+++ b/common/draw_panel_gal.cpp
@@ -212,7 +212,7 @@ void EDA_DRAW_PANEL_GAL::DoRePaint()
     if( !m_drawingEnabled )
         return;
 
-    if( !m_gal->IsVisible() )
+    if( !m_gal->IsInitialized() || !m_gal->IsVisible() )
         return;
 
     m_pendingRefresh = false;