diff --git a/src/msw/mdi.cpp b/src/msw/mdi.cpp
index 9beda728dc..07095b96e7 100644
--- a/src/msw/mdi.cpp
+++ b/src/msw/mdi.cpp
@@ -214,6 +214,8 @@ bool wxMDIParentFrame::Create(wxWindow *parent,
       return false;
   }
 
+  SetOwnBackgroundColour(wxSystemSettings::GetColour(wxSYS_COLOUR_APPWORKSPACE));
+
   // unlike (almost?) all other windows, frames are created hidden
   m_isShown = false;