diff --git a/tests/test.cpp b/tests/test.cpp
index 55f741af62..85060d3cd4 100644
--- a/tests/test.cpp
+++ b/tests/test.cpp
@@ -559,9 +559,8 @@ bool TestApp::OnInit()
     cout << std::endl;
 
 #if wxUSE_GUI
-    // create a hidden parent window to be used as parent for the GUI controls
-    wxTestableFrame* frame = new wxTestableFrame();
-    frame->Show();
+    // create a parent window to be used as parent for the GUI controls
+    new wxTestableFrame();
 
     Connect(wxEVT_IDLE, wxIdleEventHandler(TestApp::OnIdle));
 #endif // wxUSE_GUI
diff --git a/tests/testableframe.cpp b/tests/testableframe.cpp
index 1b63defb88..dc535a1f43 100644
--- a/tests/testableframe.cpp
+++ b/tests/testableframe.cpp
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@ wxTestableFrame::wxTestableFrame() : wxFrame(NULL, wxID_ANY, "Test Frame")
 {
     // Use fixed position to facilitate debugging.
     Move(200, 200);
+
+    Show();
 }
 
 void wxTestableFrame::OnEvent(wxEvent& evt)