diff --git a/src/msw/notebook.cpp b/src/msw/notebook.cpp
index 46abba6daa..6f474aed5f 100644
--- a/src/msw/notebook.cpp
+++ b/src/msw/notebook.cpp
@@ -345,6 +345,11 @@ bool wxNotebook::Create(wxWindow *parent,
     {
         SetBackgroundColour(GetThemeBackgroundColour());
     }
+    else // use themed background by default
+    {
+        // create backing store
+        UpdateBgBrush();
+    }
 #endif // wxUSE_UXTHEME
 
     // Undocumented hack to get flat notebook style