diff --git a/gtk/gtkwidget.c b/gtk/gtkwidget.c
index a0ad576816..ceede451ba 100644
--- a/gtk/gtkwidget.c
+++ b/gtk/gtkwidget.c
@@ -10440,7 +10440,7 @@ gtk_widget_set_alloc_needed (GtkWidget *widget)
       if (!priv->visible)
         break;
 
-      if (GTK_IS_ROOT (widget))
+      if (!priv->parent && GTK_IS_ROOT (widget))
         {
           gtk_root_start_layout (GTK_ROOT (widget));
           break;