diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui_ed.cc b/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui_ed.cc
index fbe61775df..70b9c928bc 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui_ed.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/ardour_ui_ed.cc
@@ -432,6 +432,13 @@ ARDOUR_UI::build_menu_bar ()
 	menu_bar = dynamic_cast<MenuBar*> (ActionManager::get_widget (X_("/Main")));
 	menu_bar->set_name ("MainMenuBar");
 
+	/*
+	 * This is needed because this property does not get installed
+	 * until the Menu GObject class is registered, which happens
+	 * when the first menu instance is created.
+	 */
+	Gtk::Settings::get_default()->property_gtk_can_change_accels() = true;	
+	
 	wall_clock_box.add (wall_clock_label);
 	wall_clock_box.set_name ("WallClock");
 	wall_clock_label.set_name ("WallClock");
diff --git a/libs/gtkmm2ext/gtk_ui.cc b/libs/gtkmm2ext/gtk_ui.cc
index 2ea82209bd..6b0326ab67 100644
--- a/libs/gtkmm2ext/gtk_ui.cc
+++ b/libs/gtkmm2ext/gtk_ui.cc
@@ -53,10 +53,6 @@ UI::UI (string name, int *argc, char ***argv, string rcfile)
 	theMain = new Main (argc, argv);
 	tips = new Tooltips;
 
-	// allow run-time rebinding of accels
-
-	Settings::get_default()->property_gtk_can_change_accels() = true;
-
 	if (pthread_key_create (&thread_request_buffer_key, 0)) {
 		cerr << _("cannot create thread request buffer key") << endl;
 		throw failed_constructor();