diff --git a/new/init_windows.c b/new/init_windows.c
index 3e19cfe..5620f76 100644
--- a/new/init_windows.c
+++ b/new/init_windows.c
@@ -6,12 +6,14 @@ int nCmdShow;
 
 HFONT hMessageFont;
 
+HWND initialParent;
+
 struct uiInitError {
 	char *msg;
 	char failbuf[256];
 };
 
-static void loadLastError(uiInitError *err, char *message)
+static void loadLastError(uiInitError *err, const char *message)
 {
 	DWORD le;
 
@@ -79,6 +81,11 @@ uiInitError *uiInit(uiInitOptions *o)
 		return err;
 	}
 
+	// give each control a reasonable initial parent
+	// don't free the initial parent!
+	// TODO tune this better; it shouldn't be closed, for instance
+	initialParent = uiWindowHandle(uiNewWindow("", 0, 0));
+
 	uiFree(err);
 	return NULL;
 }
diff --git a/new/uipriv_windows.h b/new/uipriv_windows.h
index 86b7734..a17fbfe 100644
--- a/new/uipriv_windows.h
+++ b/new/uipriv_windows.h
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@
 #include <oleacc.h>
 #include <stdio.h>
 #include "uipriv.h"
+#include "ui_windows.h"
 
 // ui internal window messages
 enum {