--- a/src/win32/cairo-win32-display-surface.c
+++ b/src/win32/cairo-win32-display-surface.c
@@ -383,6 +383,8 @@ _cairo_win32_display_surface_create_similar (void	    *abstract_src,
 	new_surf = _cairo_win32_display_surface_create_for_dc (src->win32.dc, format, width, height);
     }
 
+    new_surf->is_clear = TRUE;
+
     return new_surf;
 }