diff --git a/src/generic/headerctrlg.cpp b/src/generic/headerctrlg.cpp
index e7e4333c5f..85548d7b97 100644
--- a/src/generic/headerctrlg.cpp
+++ b/src/generic/headerctrlg.cpp
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ wxSize wxHeaderCtrl::DoGetBestSize() const
 {
     // the vertical size is rather arbitrary but it looks better if we leave
     // some space around the text
-    return wxSize(IsEmpty() ? DEFAULT_ITEM_WIDTH
+    return wxSize(IsEmpty() ? wxHeaderCtrlBase::DoGetBestSize().x
                             : GetColEnd(GetColumnCount() - 1),
                   (7*GetCharHeight())/4);
 }