diff --git a/src/generic/splitter.cpp b/src/generic/splitter.cpp
index 6052fd67d8..7c5d2354bd 100644
--- a/src/generic/splitter.cpp
+++ b/src/generic/splitter.cpp
@@ -96,9 +96,13 @@ bool wxSplitterWindow::Create(wxWindow *parent, wxWindowID id,
 
     m_permitUnsplitAlways = (style & wxSP_PERMIT_UNSPLIT) != 0;
 
+    // FIXME: with this line the background is not erased at all under GTK1,
+    //        so temporary avoid it there
+#if !defined(__WXGTK__) || defined(__WXGTK20__)
     // don't erase the splitter background, it's pointless as we overwrite it
     // anyhow
     SetBackgroundStyle(wxBG_STYLE_CUSTOM);
+#endif
 
     return true;
 }