diff --git a/gtk/gtklabel.c b/gtk/gtklabel.c
index 5607c91495..c3d5db7fd8 100644
--- a/gtk/gtklabel.c
+++ b/gtk/gtklabel.c
@@ -1365,7 +1365,7 @@ gtk_label_init (GtkLabel *label)
 
   priv->width_chars = -1;
   priv->max_width_chars = -1;
-  priv->label = NULL;
+  priv->label = g_strdup ("");
   priv->lines = -1;
 
   priv->xalign = 0.5;
@@ -1391,8 +1391,6 @@ gtk_label_init (GtkLabel *label)
 
   priv->mnemonics_visible = TRUE;
 
-  gtk_label_set_text (label, "");
-
   priv->gadget = gtk_css_custom_gadget_new_for_node (gtk_widget_get_css_node (GTK_WIDGET (label)),
                                                      GTK_WIDGET (label),
                                                      gtk_label_measure,