diff --git a/gtk/gtkaccelgroup.c b/gtk/gtkaccelgroup.c
index 0cf685c2d8..964974abb4 100644
--- a/gtk/gtkaccelgroup.c
+++ b/gtk/gtkaccelgroup.c
@@ -592,7 +592,7 @@ gtk_accelerator_name (guint           accelerator_key,
     keyval_name = "";
 
   saved_mods = accelerator_mods;
-  l = 0;
+  l = strlen (keyval_name);
   if (accelerator_mods & GDK_SHIFT_MASK)
     l += sizeof (text_shift) - 1;
   if (accelerator_mods & GDK_CONTROL_MASK)