diff --git a/src/widgets/Ruler.cpp b/src/widgets/Ruler.cpp
index 97f3d5006..75b508a35 100644
--- a/src/widgets/Ruler.cpp
+++ b/src/widgets/Ruler.cpp
@@ -96,6 +96,8 @@ using std::max;
 
 #define kTopInset 4
 
+wxColour Ruler::mTickColour{ 153, 153, 153 };
+
 //
 // Ruler
 //
@@ -120,7 +122,6 @@ Ruler::Ruler()
    mBottom = -1;
    mbTicksOnly = true;
    mbTicksAtExtremes = false;
-   mTickColour = wxColour(153,153,153);
    mPen.SetColour(mTickColour);
 
    // Note: the font size is now adjusted automatically whenever
@@ -1572,7 +1573,7 @@ void Ruler::Label::Draw(wxDC&dc, bool twoTone) const
 
 #ifdef EXPERIMENTAL_THEMING
       // TODO:  handle color distinction
-      mDC->SetTextForeground(mTickColour);
+      dc.SetTextForeground(mTickColour);
 #else
       dc.SetTextForeground(altColor ? *wxBLUE : *wxBLACK);
 #endif
diff --git a/src/widgets/Ruler.h b/src/widgets/Ruler.h
index 069ca6b5a..190750c73 100644
--- a/src/widgets/Ruler.h
+++ b/src/widgets/Ruler.h
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ public:
    wxRect mRect;
 
 private:
-   wxColour mTickColour;
+   static wxColour mTickColour;
    wxPen mPen;
 
    int          mMaxWidth, mMaxHeight;