diff --git a/redo/init_windows.c b/redo/init_windows.c
index 343b9d4..cc04fb7 100644
--- a/redo/init_windows.c
+++ b/redo/init_windows.c
@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@ HFONT smallTitleFont;
 HFONT menubarFont;
 HFONT statusbarFont;
 
+HBRUSH hollowBrush;
+
 DWORD initWindows(char **errmsg)
 {
 	STARTUPINFOW si;
@@ -61,5 +63,11 @@ DWORD initWindows(char **errmsg)
 	GETFONT(menubarFont, lfMenuFont, "menu bar");
 	GETFONT(statusbarFont, lfStatusFont, "status bar");
 
+	hollowBrush = GetStockObject(HOLLOW_BRUSH);
+	if (hollowBrush == NULL) {
+		*errmsg = "error getting hollow brush";
+		return GetLastError();
+	}
+
 	return 0;
 }
diff --git a/redo/winapi_windows.h b/redo/winapi_windows.h
index ebbb58a..9f67f95 100644
--- a/redo/winapi_windows.h
+++ b/redo/winapi_windows.h
@@ -65,6 +65,7 @@ extern HFONT titleFont;
 extern HFONT smallTitleFont;
 extern HFONT menubarFont;
 extern HFONT statusbarFont;
+extern HBRUSH hollowBrush;
 extern DWORD initWindows(char **);
 
 /* sizing_windows.c */