diff --git a/src/frames/main.c b/src/frames/main.c
index d03299c5e..10e1dcae1 100644
--- a/src/frames/main.c
+++ b/src/frames/main.c
@@ -42,6 +42,8 @@ main (int   argc,
   GMainLoop *loop;
   Display *xdisplay;
 
+  g_setenv ("GSK_RENDERER", "cairo", TRUE);
+
   /* We do know the desired GDK backend, don't let
    * anyone tell us otherwise.
    */