diff --git a/src/fontcache.cpp b/src/fontcache.cpp
index 0135c25671..ab7c9c5d14 100644
--- a/src/fontcache.cpp
+++ b/src/fontcache.cpp
@@ -415,6 +415,9 @@ const Sprite *GetGlyph(FontSize size, WChar key)
 	FT_Load_Char(face, key, FT_LOAD_DEFAULT);
 	FT_Render_Glyph(face->glyph, aa ? FT_RENDER_MODE_NORMAL : FT_RENDER_MODE_MONO);
 
+	/* Despite requesting a normal glyph, FreeType may have returned a bitmap */
+	aa = (slot->bitmap.palette_mode == FT_PIXEL_MODE_GRAY);
+
 	/* Add 1 pixel for the shadow on the medium font. Our sprite must be at least 1x1 pixel */
 	width  = max(1, slot->bitmap.width + (size == FS_NORMAL));
 	height = max(1, slot->bitmap.rows  + (size == FS_NORMAL));