diff --git a/xwords4/common/board.c b/xwords4/common/board.c
index 26388a0dc..ac221fdee 100644
--- a/xwords4/common/board.c
+++ b/xwords4/common/board.c
@@ -2616,7 +2616,7 @@ invalFocusOwner( BoardCtxt* board )
         draw = XP_FALSE;
         break;
     }
-    board->needsDrawing = draw;
+    board->needsDrawing = draw || board->needsDrawing;
     return draw;
 } /* invalFocusOwner */