diff --git a/src/msw/window.cpp b/src/msw/window.cpp
index fb7bb67368..7b171f9f7c 100644
--- a/src/msw/window.cpp
+++ b/src/msw/window.cpp
@@ -297,15 +297,18 @@ wxWindow::~wxWindow()
         {
             if ( frame->GetLastFocus() == this )
                 frame->SetLastFocus((wxWindow*)NULL);
-            //break;
+            break;
         }
     }
 
+    // VS: destroy children first and _then_ detach *this from its parent.
+    //     If we'd do it the other way around, children wouldn't be able
+    //     find their parent frame (see above).
+    DestroyChildren();
+
     if ( m_parent )
         m_parent->RemoveChild(this);
 
-    DestroyChildren();
-
     if ( m_hWnd )
     {
         // VZ: test temp removed to understand what really happens here