diff --git a/src/xrc/xh_text.cpp b/src/xrc/xh_text.cpp
index a50bd7e969..c9ba8e42da 100644
--- a/src/xrc/xh_text.cpp
+++ b/src/xrc/xh_text.cpp
@@ -72,7 +72,8 @@ wxObject *wxTextCtrlXmlHandler::DoCreateResource()
     if (HasParam(wxT("maxlength")))
         text->SetMaxLength(GetLong(wxT("maxlength")));
 
-    text->SetHint(GetText(wxS("hint")));
+    if (HasParam(wxT("hint")))
+        text->SetHint(GetText(wxS("hint")));
 
     return text;
 }