diff --git a/gtk/gtkmain.c b/gtk/gtkmain.c
index db05822cf5..773fb5624f 100644
--- a/gtk/gtkmain.c
+++ b/gtk/gtkmain.c
@@ -2444,9 +2444,11 @@ propagate_event_up (GtkWidget *widget,
        */
       if (!gtk_widget_is_sensitive (widget))
         handled_event = event->any.type != GDK_SCROLL;
-      else
+      else if (gtk_widget_get_realized (widget))
         handled_event = gtk_widget_event (widget, event);
 
+      handled_event |= !gtk_widget_get_realized (widget);
+
       tmp = gtk_widget_get_parent (widget);
       g_object_unref (widget);
 
@@ -2498,8 +2500,10 @@ propagate_event_down (GtkWidget *widget,
           else
             handled_event = TRUE;
         }
-      else
+      else if (gtk_widget_get_realized (widget))
         handled_event = _gtk_widget_captured_event (widget, event);
+
+      handled_event |= !gtk_widget_get_realized (widget);
     }
   g_list_free_full (widgets, (GDestroyNotify)g_object_unref);