diff --git a/src/gtk/window.cpp b/src/gtk/window.cpp
index 412702ef29..e0345ada38 100644
--- a/src/gtk/window.cpp
+++ b/src/gtk/window.cpp
@@ -4583,6 +4583,13 @@ void wxWindowGTK::SetFocus()
     if (gs_currentFocus != this)
         gs_pendingFocus = this;
 
+    // Toplevel must be active for child to actually receive focus.
+    // But avoid activating if tlw is not yet shown, as that will
+    // cause it to be immediately shown.
+    GtkWidget* tlw = gtk_widget_get_ancestor(m_widget, GTK_TYPE_WINDOW);
+    if (tlw && gtk_widget_get_visible(tlw) && !gtk_window_is_active(GTK_WINDOW(tlw)))
+        gtk_window_present(GTK_WINDOW(tlw));
+
     GtkWidget *widget = m_wxwindow ? m_wxwindow : m_focusWidget;
 
     if ( GTK_IS_CONTAINER(widget) &&