diff --git a/etg/fdrepdlg.py b/etg/fdrepdlg.py
index 455f4e5e..a138c0b0 100644
--- a/etg/fdrepdlg.py
+++ b/etg/fdrepdlg.py
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ def run():
 
     c = module.find('wxFindReplaceDialog')
     tools.fixTopLevelWindowClass(c)
-
+    c.find('wxFindReplaceDialog.data').keepReference = True
 
     #-----------------------------------------------------------------
     tools.doCommonTweaks(module)