diff --git a/src/gtkutil.c b/src/gtkutil.c
index dc81f016509..fe1eb6cdfdb 100644
--- a/src/gtkutil.c
+++ b/src/gtkutil.c
@@ -3937,6 +3937,11 @@ xg_initialize ()
 {
   GtkBindingSet *binding_set;
 
+#if HAVE_XFT
+  /* Work around a bug with corrupted data if libXft gets unloaded.  This way
+     we keep it permanently linked in.  */
+  XftInit (0);
+#endif
   xg_ignore_gtk_scrollbar = 0;
   xg_detached_menus = 0;
   xg_menu_cb_list.prev = xg_menu_cb_list.next =