diff --git a/eeschema/dialogs/dialog_edit_one_field.cpp b/eeschema/dialogs/dialog_edit_one_field.cpp
index 76a287b9df..8d38c3a93e 100644
--- a/eeschema/dialogs/dialog_edit_one_field.cpp
+++ b/eeschema/dialogs/dialog_edit_one_field.cpp
@@ -122,6 +122,11 @@ void DIALOG_EDIT_ONE_FIELD::OnTextValueSelectButtonClick( wxCommandEvent& aEvent
 
 void DIALOG_EDIT_ONE_FIELD::OnSetFocusText( wxFocusEvent& event )
 {
+
+    // Force an update of the text control before setting the text selection
+    // This is needed because GTK seems to ignore the selection on first update
+    m_TextValue->Update();
+
     if( m_fieldId == REFERENCE )
         SelectReferenceNumber( static_cast<wxTextEntry*>( m_TextValue ) );
     else