diff --git a/embedding/browser/gtk/src/EmbedPrivate.cpp b/embedding/browser/gtk/src/EmbedPrivate.cpp
index 8d5a907569b..952e893b5d2 100644
--- a/embedding/browser/gtk/src/EmbedPrivate.cpp
+++ b/embedding/browser/gtk/src/EmbedPrivate.cpp
@@ -168,8 +168,7 @@ EmbedPrivate::Realize(PRBool *aAlreadyRealized)
   *aAlreadyRealized = PR_FALSE;
 
   // create the offscreen window if we have to
-  if (!sOffscreenWindow)
-    CreateOffscreenWindow();
+  EnsureOffscreenWindow();
 
   // Have we ever been initialized before?  If so then just reparetn
   // from the offscreen window.
@@ -786,8 +785,10 @@ EmbedPrivate::ShutdownProfile(void)
 
 /* static */
 void
-EmbedPrivate::CreateOffscreenWindow(void)
+EmbedPrivate::EnsureOffscreenWindow(void)
 {
+  if (sOffscreenWindow)
+    return;
   sOffscreenWindow = gtk_window_new(GTK_WINDOW_TOPLEVEL);
   gtk_widget_realize(sOffscreenWindow);
   sOffscreenFixed = gtk_fixed_new();
@@ -799,6 +800,8 @@ EmbedPrivate::CreateOffscreenWindow(void)
 void
 EmbedPrivate::DestroyOffscreenWindow(void)
 {
+  if (!sOffscreenWindow)
+    return;
   gtk_widget_destroy(sOffscreenWindow);
   sOffscreenWindow = 0;
 }
diff --git a/embedding/browser/gtk/src/EmbedPrivate.h b/embedding/browser/gtk/src/EmbedPrivate.h
index d89e3831b77..ab0d1847f62 100644
--- a/embedding/browser/gtk/src/EmbedPrivate.h
+++ b/embedding/browser/gtk/src/EmbedPrivate.h
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ class EmbedPrivate {
   static void     ShutdownProfile(void);
 
   // offscreen window methods and the offscreen widget
-  static void       CreateOffscreenWindow(void);
+  static void       EnsureOffscreenWindow(void);
   static void       DestroyOffscreenWindow(void);
   static GtkWidget *sOffscreenWindow;
   static GtkWidget *sOffscreenFixed;