diff --git a/src/generic/regiong.cpp b/src/generic/regiong.cpp
index 9511c83df2..d9ee1d95de 100644
--- a/src/generic/regiong.cpp
+++ b/src/generic/regiong.cpp
@@ -274,6 +274,8 @@ wxRegionGeneric::wxRegionGeneric(const wxPoint& topLeft, const wxPoint& bottomRi
 void wxRegionGeneric::Clear()
 {
     UnRef();
+    if (!m_refData)
+        m_refData = new wxRegionRefData(wxRect(0,0,0,0));
 }
 
 wxGDIRefData *wxRegionGeneric::CreateGDIRefData() const