diff --git a/pcbnew/footprint_wizard_frame.cpp b/pcbnew/footprint_wizard_frame.cpp
index 23976bf84d..dd7369532f 100644
--- a/pcbnew/footprint_wizard_frame.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/footprint_wizard_frame.cpp
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
  * Copyright (C) 2012-2015 Miguel Angel Ajo Pelayo <miguelangel@nbee.es>
  * Copyright (C) 2012-2019 Jean-Pierre Charras, jp.charras at wanadoo.fr
  * Copyright (C) 2008-2015 Wayne Stambaugh <stambaughw@verizon.net>
- * Copyright (C) 2004-2019 KiCad Developers, see AUTHORS.txt for contributors.
+ * Copyright (C) 2004-2020 KiCad Developers, see AUTHORS.txt for contributors.
  *
  * This program is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
  * modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License
@@ -105,6 +105,14 @@ FOOTPRINT_WIZARD_FRAME::FOOTPRINT_WIZARD_FRAME( KIWAY* aKiway, wxWindow* aParent
     SetScreen( new PCB_SCREEN( GetPageSizeIU() ) );
     GetScreen()->m_Center = true;      // Center coordinate origins on screen.
 
+    // Create the GAL canvas.
+    // Must be created before calling LoadSettings() that needs a valid GAL canvas
+    PCB_DRAW_PANEL_GAL* gal_drawPanel = new PCB_DRAW_PANEL_GAL( this, -1, wxPoint( 0, 0 ),
+                                                                m_FrameSize,
+                                                                GetGalDisplayOptions(),
+                                                                EDA_DRAW_PANEL_GAL::GAL_FALLBACK );
+    SetCanvas( gal_drawPanel );
+
     LoadSettings( config() );
 
     SetSize( m_FramePos.x, m_FramePos.y, m_FrameSize.x, m_FrameSize.y );
@@ -125,13 +133,6 @@ FOOTPRINT_WIZARD_FRAME::FOOTPRINT_WIZARD_FRAME( KIWAY* aKiway, wxWindow* aParent
     GetBoard()->GetDesignSettings().GetDefault()->SetClearance( 0 );
     GetBoard()->SetElementVisibility( LAYER_NO_CONNECTS, false );
 
-    // Create GAL canvas
-    PCB_DRAW_PANEL_GAL* gal_drawPanel = new PCB_DRAW_PANEL_GAL( this, -1, wxPoint( 0, 0 ),
-                                                                m_FrameSize,
-                                                                GetGalDisplayOptions(),
-                                                                EDA_DRAW_PANEL_GAL::GAL_FALLBACK );
-    SetCanvas( gal_drawPanel );
-
     PCB_DISPLAY_OPTIONS disp_opts = GetDisplayOptions();
 
     disp_opts.m_DisplayPadIsol = true;
diff --git a/pcbnew/pcb_base_frame.cpp b/pcbnew/pcb_base_frame.cpp
index 03070e1f66..8ed2590060 100644
--- a/pcbnew/pcb_base_frame.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/pcb_base_frame.cpp
@@ -703,13 +703,18 @@ void PCB_BASE_FRAME::LoadSettings( APP_SETTINGS_BASE* aCfg )
         m_PolarCoords = cfg->m_PolarCoords;
     }
 
-    RENDER_SETTINGS* rs = GetCanvas()->GetView()->GetPainter()->GetSettings();
+    wxASSERT( GetCanvas() );
 
-    if( rs )
+    if( GetCanvas() )
     {
-        rs->SetHighlightFactor( aCfg->m_Graphics.highlight_factor );
-        rs->SetSelectFactor( aCfg->m_Graphics.select_factor );
-        rs->SetHighContrastFactor( aCfg->m_Graphics.high_contrast_factor );
+        RENDER_SETTINGS* rs = GetCanvas()->GetView()->GetPainter()->GetSettings();
+
+        if( rs )
+        {
+            rs->SetHighlightFactor( aCfg->m_Graphics.highlight_factor );
+            rs->SetSelectFactor( aCfg->m_Graphics.select_factor );
+            rs->SetHighContrastFactor( aCfg->m_Graphics.high_contrast_factor );
+        }
     }
 }