diff --git a/src/aui/framemanager.cpp b/src/aui/framemanager.cpp
index 6db66b51ed..bd34840e3b 100644
--- a/src/aui/framemanager.cpp
+++ b/src/aui/framemanager.cpp
@@ -3071,6 +3071,7 @@ void wxAuiManager::ShowHint(const wxRect& rect)
             m_hint_fadeamt = 0;
 
         m_hint_wnd->SetSize(rect);
+        m_hint_wnd->SetTransparent(m_hint_fadeamt);
 
         if (!m_hint_wnd->IsShown())
             m_hint_wnd->Show();
@@ -3080,7 +3081,6 @@ void wxAuiManager::ShowHint(const wxRect& rect)
         if (m_action == actionDragFloatingPane && m_action_window)
             m_action_window->SetFocus();
 
-        m_hint_wnd->SetTransparent(m_hint_fadeamt);
         m_hint_wnd->Raise();