diff --git a/common/widgets/properties_panel.cpp b/common/widgets/properties_panel.cpp
index eeaee81324..89434f7c24 100644
--- a/common/widgets/properties_panel.cpp
+++ b/common/widgets/properties_panel.cpp
@@ -28,11 +28,18 @@
 
 using namespace std;
 
+extern wxPGGlobalVarsClass* wxPGGlobalVars;
+
 PROPERTIES_PANEL::PROPERTIES_PANEL( wxWindow* aParent, EDA_BASE_FRAME* aFrame )
     : wxPanel( aParent ), m_frame( aFrame )
 {
     wxBoxSizer* mainSizer = new wxBoxSizer( wxVERTICAL );
 
+    // on some platforms wxPGGlobalVars is initialized automatically,
+    // but others need an explicit init
+    if( !wxPGGlobalVars )
+        wxPGInitResourceModule();
+
     m_grid = new wxPropertyGrid( this, wxID_ANY, wxDefaultPosition, wxSize( 300, 400 ),
             wxPG_AUTO_SORT | wxPG_SPLITTER_AUTO_CENTER | wxPG_DEFAULT_STYLE );
     m_grid->SetUnspecifiedValueAppearance( wxPGCell( "<...>" ) );