diff --git a/gtk/gtkcheckmenuitem.c b/gtk/gtkcheckmenuitem.c
index 7f1d2fd241..24dd548b10 100644
--- a/gtk/gtkcheckmenuitem.c
+++ b/gtk/gtkcheckmenuitem.c
@@ -359,6 +359,7 @@ update_node_state (GtkCheckMenuItem *check_menu_item)
   GtkStateFlags state;
 
   state = gtk_widget_get_state_flags (GTK_WIDGET (check_menu_item));
+  state &= ~(GTK_STATE_FLAG_CHECKED | GTK_STATE_FLAG_INCONSISTENT);
 
   if (priv->inconsistent)
     state |= GTK_STATE_FLAG_INCONSISTENT;