diff --git a/gtk/gtklabel.c b/gtk/gtklabel.c
index c3d5db7fd8..148faa9801 100644
--- a/gtk/gtklabel.c
+++ b/gtk/gtklabel.c
@@ -1383,7 +1383,7 @@ gtk_label_init (GtkLabel *label)
 
   priv->mnemonic_keyval = GDK_KEY_VoidSymbol;
   priv->layout = NULL;
-  priv->text = NULL;
+  priv->text = g_strdup ("");
   priv->attrs = NULL;
 
   priv->mnemonic_widget = NULL;