diff --git a/gtk/gtkmodelmenuitem.c b/gtk/gtkmodelmenuitem.c
index 9afca4386f..0f05e83bc3 100644
--- a/gtk/gtkmodelmenuitem.c
+++ b/gtk/gtkmodelmenuitem.c
@@ -165,12 +165,12 @@ gtk_model_menu_item_set_icon (GtkModelMenuItem *item,
       if (icon == NULL)
         return;
 
-      box = gtk_box_new (GTK_ORIENTATION_HORIZONTAL, 6);
+      box = gtk_box_new (GTK_ORIENTATION_HORIZONTAL, 0);
 
       /* Reparent the child without destroying it */
       g_object_ref (child);
       gtk_container_remove (GTK_CONTAINER (item), child);
-      gtk_box_pack_end (GTK_BOX (box), child);
+      gtk_container_add (GTK_CONTAINER (box), child);
       g_object_unref (child);
 
       gtk_container_add (GTK_CONTAINER (item), box);
@@ -190,7 +190,8 @@ gtk_model_menu_item_set_icon (GtkModelMenuItem *item,
 
       image = gtk_image_new_from_gicon (icon, GTK_ICON_SIZE_MENU);
       gtk_image_set_pixel_size (GTK_IMAGE (image), 16);
-      gtk_box_pack_start (GTK_BOX (child), image);
+      gtk_container_add (GTK_CONTAINER (child), image);
+      gtk_box_reorder_child (GTK_BOX (child), image, 0);
     }
 
   g_object_notify (G_OBJECT (item), "icon");