diff --git a/orangecanvas/gui/windowlistmanager.py b/orangecanvas/gui/windowlistmanager.py
index 727100ef..6f173faf 100644
--- a/orangecanvas/gui/windowlistmanager.py
+++ b/orangecanvas/gui/windowlistmanager.py
@@ -33,8 +33,8 @@ def instance() -> "WindowListManager":
     def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
         if self.__instance is not None:
             raise RuntimeError
-        WindowListManager.__instance = self
         super().__init__(*args, **kwargs)
+        WindowListManager.__instance = self
         self.__group = QActionGroup(
             self, objectName="window-list-manager-action-group"
         )