diff --git a/src/generic/preferencesg.cpp b/src/generic/preferencesg.cpp
index 4151a1e557..ddfd964d07 100644
--- a/src/generic/preferencesg.cpp
+++ b/src/generic/preferencesg.cpp
@@ -58,6 +58,8 @@ public:
                    wxSizerFlags().Expand().DoubleBorder(wxLEFT|wxRIGHT|wxBOTTOM));
 #endif
         SetSizer(sizer);
+
+        m_notebook->SetFocus();
     }
 
     void AddPage(wxPreferencesPage *page)