diff --git a/src/Fl_Widget.cxx b/src/Fl_Widget.cxx
index 74287640b..edc904055 100644
--- a/src/Fl_Widget.cxx
+++ b/src/Fl_Widget.cxx
@@ -145,6 +145,9 @@ Fl_Widget::Fl_Widget(int X, int Y, int W, int H, const char* L) {
   if (!been_here) {
     been_here = 1;
     Fl_Display_Device::display_device(); // make sure fl_graphics_driver is initialized
+#ifdef __APPLE__
+    fl_fonts = Fl_X::calc_fl_fonts(); // make sure fl_fonts is initialized
+#endif
   }
 }