diff --git a/app/tools/gimppainttool.c b/app/tools/gimppainttool.c
index 6810194bcd..a0595f835d 100644
--- a/app/tools/gimppainttool.c
+++ b/app/tools/gimppainttool.c
@@ -147,6 +147,8 @@ gimp_paint_tool_init (GimpPaintTool *paint_tool)
   tool->max_coord_smooth  = 0.80;
 
   paint_tool->core        = NULL;
+
+  GIMP_DRAW_TOOL (tool)->use_cairo = TRUE;
 }
 
 static GObject *