diff --git a/clutter/clutter/clutter-clone.c b/clutter/clutter/clutter-clone.c
index 53dcb6cd0..40a3d53d5 100644
--- a/clutter/clutter/clutter-clone.c
+++ b/clutter/clutter/clutter-clone.c
@@ -252,6 +252,13 @@ clutter_clone_allocate (ClutterActor           *self,
   if (priv->clone_source == NULL)
     return;
 
+  /* ClutterActor delays allocating until the actor is shown; however
+   * we cannot paint it correctly in that case, so force an allocation.
+   */
+  if (clutter_actor_get_parent (priv->clone_source) != NULL &&
+      !clutter_actor_has_allocation (priv->clone_source))
+    clutter_actor_allocate_preferred_size (priv->clone_source, flags);
+
 #if 0
   /* XXX - this is wrong: ClutterClone cannot clone unparented
    * actors, as it will break all invariants