diff --git a/src/msw/notifmsg.cpp b/src/msw/notifmsg.cpp
index aeef3a3974..61d3d656ad 100644
--- a/src/msw/notifmsg.cpp
+++ b/src/msw/notifmsg.cpp
@@ -341,6 +341,7 @@ wxBalloonNotifMsgImpl::DoShow(const wxString& title,
         // first place.
         delete ms_icon;
         ms_icon = NULL;
+        ms_refCountIcon = 0;
 
         return false;
     }