diff --git a/gdk/x11/gdkkeys-x11.c b/gdk/x11/gdkkeys-x11.c
index 784e0ff5c9..b48d02e2d3 100644
--- a/gdk/x11/gdkkeys-x11.c
+++ b/gdk/x11/gdkkeys-x11.c
@@ -1794,6 +1794,7 @@ gdk_keymap_map_virtual_modifiers (GdkKeymap       *keymap,
 
   keymap = GET_EFFECTIVE_KEYMAP (keymap);
   keymap_x11 = GDK_KEYMAP_X11 (keymap);
+  get_xkb (keymap_x11);
 
   retval = TRUE;