diff --git a/src/generic/graphicc.cpp b/src/generic/graphicc.cpp
index ec701a7a47..a42d91da23 100644
--- a/src/generic/graphicc.cpp
+++ b/src/generic/graphicc.cpp
@@ -1838,6 +1838,12 @@ wxCairoContext::wxCairoContext( wxGraphicsRenderer* renderer, const wxMemoryDC&
 #endif
 #endif
 
+#ifdef __WXX11__
+    cairo_t* cr = static_cast<cairo_t*>(dc.GetImpl()->GetCairoContext());
+    if ( cr )
+        Init(cairo_reference(cr));
+#endif
+
 #ifdef __WXMAC__
     CGContextRef cgcontext = (CGContextRef)dc.GetWindow()->MacGetCGContextRef();
     cairo_surface_t* surface = cairo_quartz_surface_create_for_cg_context(cgcontext, width, height);