diff --git a/redo/controls_unix.go b/redo/controls_unix.go
index 42068d7..bb7560f 100644
--- a/redo/controls_unix.go
+++ b/redo/controls_unix.go
@@ -34,6 +34,8 @@ func (w *widgetbase) unparent() {
 		// we unref this in parent() below
 		w.floating = true
 		C.gtk_container_remove(w.parentw.layoutc, w.widget)
+		// redraw since we changed controls (by queueing a resize; thanks xxx in irc.gimp.net/#gtk+)
+		C.gtk_widget_queue_resize(w.parentw.layoutw)
 		w.parentw = nil
 	}
 }
@@ -48,6 +50,8 @@ func (w *widgetbase) parent(win *window) {
 	}
 	// make sure the new widget is shown
 	C.gtk_widget_show_all(w.widget)
+	// redraw since we changed controls (see above)
+	C.gtk_widget_queue_resize(win.layoutw)
 }
 
 type button struct {