diff --git a/samples/image/image.cpp b/samples/image/image.cpp
index 0fac64b19e..9a99f1487f 100644
--- a/samples/image/image.cpp
+++ b/samples/image/image.cpp
@@ -185,8 +185,11 @@ private:
     {
         wxPaintDC dc(this);
 
+#ifndef __WXOSX__
+        // on OSX the immediate Update from within ClearBackground leads to a recursion
         if ( GetMenuBar()->IsChecked(ID_PAINT_BG) )
             ClearBackground();
+#endif
 
         dc.SetUserScale(m_zoom, m_zoom);