diff --git a/src/st/st-theme-node.c b/src/st/st-theme-node.c
index 880029982..766e0733d 100644
--- a/src/st/st-theme-node.c
+++ b/src/st/st-theme-node.c
@@ -341,6 +341,10 @@ gboolean
 st_theme_node_equal (StThemeNode *node_a, StThemeNode *node_b)
 {
   g_return_val_if_fail (ST_IS_THEME_NODE (node_a), FALSE);
+
+  if (node_a == node_b)
+    return TRUE;
+
   g_return_val_if_fail (ST_IS_THEME_NODE (node_b), FALSE);
 
   if (node_a->parent_node != node_b->parent_node ||
@@ -3548,6 +3552,10 @@ st_theme_node_geometry_equal (StThemeNode *node,
   StSide side;
 
   g_return_val_if_fail (ST_IS_THEME_NODE (node), FALSE);
+
+  if (node == other)
+    return TRUE;
+
   g_return_val_if_fail (ST_IS_THEME_NODE (other), FALSE);
 
   _st_theme_node_ensure_geometry (node);
@@ -3592,6 +3600,10 @@ st_theme_node_paint_equal (StThemeNode *node,
   int i;
 
   g_return_val_if_fail (ST_IS_THEME_NODE (node), FALSE);
+
+  if (node == other)
+    return TRUE;
+
   g_return_val_if_fail (ST_IS_THEME_NODE (other), FALSE);
 
   _st_theme_node_ensure_background (node);