diff --git a/src/common/wincmn.cpp b/src/common/wincmn.cpp
index 1f80f28ee9..aa90c82cbd 100644
--- a/src/common/wincmn.cpp
+++ b/src/common/wincmn.cpp
@@ -121,8 +121,8 @@ wxWindowBase::wxWindowBase()
     m_maxWidth =
     m_maxHeight = -1;
 
-    // window is created enabled but it's not visible yet
-    m_isShown = false;
+    // window are created enabled and visible by default
+    m_isShown =
     m_isEnabled = true;
 
     // the default event handler is just this window
diff --git a/src/msw/popupwin.cpp b/src/msw/popupwin.cpp
index fbe5ad21fb..aa340cdc9f 100644
--- a/src/msw/popupwin.cpp
+++ b/src/msw/popupwin.cpp
@@ -46,6 +46,9 @@ IMPLEMENT_DYNAMIC_CLASS(wxPopupWindow, wxWindow)
 
 bool wxPopupWindow::Create(wxWindow *parent, int flags)
 {
+    // popup windows are created hidden by default
+    Hide();
+
     return wxPopupWindowBase::Create(parent) &&
                wxWindow::Create(parent, -1,
                                 wxDefaultPosition, wxDefaultSize,