diff --git a/ui/gtk.c b/ui/gtk.c
index 935de1209b..2a4c9b84ba 100644
--- a/ui/gtk.c
+++ b/ui/gtk.c
@@ -2371,6 +2371,7 @@ static void gtk_display_init(DisplayState *ds, DisplayOptions *opts)
     GdkDisplay *window_display;
     GtkIconTheme *theme;
     char *dir;
+    int idx;
 
     if (!gtkinit) {
         fprintf(stderr, "gtk initialization failed\n");
@@ -2434,6 +2435,15 @@ static void gtk_display_init(DisplayState *ds, DisplayOptions *opts)
     gtk_container_add(GTK_CONTAINER(s->window), s->vbox);
 
     gtk_widget_show_all(s->window);
+
+    for (idx = 0;; idx++) {
+        QemuConsole *con = qemu_console_lookup_by_index(idx);
+        if (!con) {
+            break;
+        }
+        gtk_widget_realize(s->vc[idx].gfx.drawing_area);
+    }
+
     if (opts->u.gtk.has_show_menubar &&
         !opts->u.gtk.show_menubar) {
         gtk_widget_hide(s->menu_bar);