diff --git a/include/wxPcbStruct.h b/include/wxPcbStruct.h
index 8ac0d3b20d..5194cca753 100644
--- a/include/wxPcbStruct.h
+++ b/include/wxPcbStruct.h
@@ -100,13 +100,6 @@ class PCB_EDIT_FRAME : public PCB_BASE_EDIT_FRAME
         throw( IO_ERROR, PARSE_ERROR );
 
 protected:
-
-#ifdef KICAD_SCRIPTING_WXPYTHON
-    // Panel used to let user talk with internal scripting
-    wxWindow* m_pythonPanel;
-    bool m_pythonPanelShow;                   ///< Visibility flag for Python Console
-#endif
-
     PCB_LAYER_WIDGET* m_Layers;
 
     DRC* m_drc;                                 ///< the DRC controller, see drc.cpp
@@ -130,6 +123,24 @@ protected:
     void createPopUpBlockMenu( wxMenu* menu );
     void createPopUpMenuForMarkers( MARKER_PCB* aMarker, wxMenu* aPopMenu );
 
+
+    // Has meaning only if DKICAD_SCRIPTING_WXPYTHON option is on
+    /**
+     * @return the frame name identifier for the python console frame
+     */
+    static const wxChar * pythonConsoleNameId()
+    {
+        return wxT( "PythonConsole" );
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * @return a pointer to the python console frame, or NULL if not exist
+     */
+    static wxWindow * findPythonConsole()
+    {
+       return FindWindowByName( pythonConsoleNameId() );
+    }
+
     /**
      * Function syncLayerWidgetLayer
      * updates the currently layer "selection" within the PCB_LAYER_WIDGET.
diff --git a/include/wxstruct.h b/include/wxstruct.h
index b0478a1a1e..4b0c56a165 100644
--- a/include/wxstruct.h
+++ b/include/wxstruct.h
@@ -484,21 +484,6 @@ public:
         CaptionVisible( false );
         return *this;
     }
-
-    /**
-     * Function ScriptingConsolePane
-     * Change *this to a python scripting console pane for KiCad.
-     * Used in Pcbnew
-     */
-    EDA_PANEINFO& ScriptingConsolePane()
-    {
-        CloseButton( false );
-        Floatable( true );
-        Resizable( true );
-        return *this;
-    }
-
-
 };
 
 #endif  // WXSTRUCT_H_
diff --git a/pcbnew/pcbframe.cpp b/pcbnew/pcbframe.cpp
index 6dd46c9862..03605e3fb1 100644
--- a/pcbnew/pcbframe.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/pcbframe.cpp
@@ -82,8 +82,6 @@
 
 #if defined(KICAD_SCRIPTING) || defined(KICAD_SCRIPTING_WXPYTHON)
 #include <python_scripting.h>
-// The name of the pane info handling the python console:
-#define PYTHONCONSOLE_STRID   wxT( "PythonPanel" )
 #endif
 
 #include <pcb_draw_panel_gal.h>
@@ -330,10 +328,6 @@ PCB_EDIT_FRAME::PCB_EDIT_FRAME( KIWAY* aKiway, wxWindow* aParent ) :
     m_RecordingMacros = -1;
     m_microWaveToolBar = NULL;
     m_useCmpFileForFpNames = true;
-#if defined(KICAD_SCRIPTING_WXPYTHON)
-    m_pythonPanel = NULL;
-    m_pythonPanelShow = false;
-#endif
 
     m_rotationAngle = 900;
 
@@ -1001,39 +995,29 @@ void PCB_EDIT_FRAME::UpdateTitle()
 #if defined(KICAD_SCRIPTING_WXPYTHON)
 void PCB_EDIT_FRAME::ScriptingConsoleEnableDisable( wxCommandEvent& aEvent )
 {
-    if( m_pythonPanel == NULL )
+
+    wxMiniFrame * pythonPanelFrame = (wxMiniFrame *) findPythonConsole();
+    bool pythonPanelShown = false;
+
+    if( pythonPanelFrame == NULL )
     {
-        // Add the scripting panel
-        EDA_PANEINFO  pythonAuiPane;
-        pythonAuiPane.ScriptingConsolePane();
-        pythonAuiPane.Caption( wxT( "Python Scripting" ) );
-        pythonAuiPane.MinSize( 300, 150 );
+        long style = wxCAPTION|wxCLOSE_BOX|wxMINIMIZE_BOX|wxMAXIMIZE_BOX|wxRESIZE_BORDER|wxFRAME_FLOAT_ON_PARENT;
+        pythonPanelFrame = new wxMiniFrame( this, wxID_ANY, wxT("Python console"), wxDefaultPosition, wxDefaultSize,
+                                         style, pythonConsoleNameId() );
+        wxBoxSizer* sizer = new wxBoxSizer( wxVERTICAL );
 
-    #if 1   // Set to 0 to make the Python console dockable
-        // Currently the console is not dockable. Reasons:
-        // * When docked there is an issue with accelerator keys used in the main menu:
-        //   these keys are not sent to the console, even if it has the focus
-        // * The console is more easy to move if it is not dockable
-        pythonAuiPane.Dockable( false ).Float();
-
-        // Gives a reasonnable position to the console
-        wxPoint pos = m_canvas->GetScreenPosition();
-        pythonAuiPane.FloatingPosition( pos.x + 10, pos.y + 10 );
-        pythonAuiPane.FloatingSize( 600, 200 );
-    #else
-        pythonAuiPane.BestSize( 600, 200 );
-        pythonAuiPane.LeftDockable( false ).RightDockable( false );
-    #endif
-
-        m_pythonPanel = CreatePythonShellWindow( this );
-        m_auimgr.AddPane( m_pythonPanel,
-                          pythonAuiPane.Name( PYTHONCONSOLE_STRID ).Bottom().Layer(9) );
+        wxWindow * pythonPanel = CreatePythonShellWindow( pythonPanelFrame );
+        sizer->Add( pythonPanel, 1, wxEXPAND | wxALL, 5 );
+        pythonPanelFrame->SetSizer( sizer );
+        pythonPanelFrame->SetSize( wxSize( 600, 300 ) );
+        pythonPanelFrame->Layout();
+        pythonPanelFrame->Centre();
     }
+    else
+        pythonPanelShown = pythonPanelFrame->IsShown();
 
-    m_pythonPanelShow = ! m_pythonPanelShow;
-    m_auimgr.GetPane( PYTHONCONSOLE_STRID ).Show( m_pythonPanelShow );
-
-    m_auimgr.Update();
+    pythonPanelShown = ! pythonPanelShown;
+    pythonPanelFrame->Show( pythonPanelShown );
 }
 #endif
 
diff --git a/pcbnew/toolbars_update_user_interface.cpp b/pcbnew/toolbars_update_user_interface.cpp
index 7a4c120127..3748780c43 100644
--- a/pcbnew/toolbars_update_user_interface.cpp
+++ b/pcbnew/toolbars_update_user_interface.cpp
@@ -106,12 +106,13 @@ void PCB_EDIT_FRAME::OnUpdateLayerSelectBox( wxUpdateUIEvent& aEvent )
     m_SelLayerBox->SetLayerSelection( GetActiveLayer() );
 }
 
-#ifdef KICAD_SCRIPTING_WXPYTHON
+// Used only when the DKICAD_SCRIPTING_WXPYTHON option is on
 void PCB_EDIT_FRAME::OnUpdateScriptingConsoleState( wxUpdateUIEvent& aEvent )
 {
-    aEvent.Check( m_pythonPanelShow );
+    wxMiniFrame * pythonPanelFrame = (wxMiniFrame *) findPythonConsole();
+    bool pythonPanelShown = pythonPanelFrame ? pythonPanelFrame->IsShown() : false;
+    aEvent.Check( pythonPanelShown );
 }
-#endif
 
 void PCB_EDIT_FRAME::OnUpdateZoneDisplayStyle( wxUpdateUIEvent& aEvent )
 {