diff --git a/src/cairo-recording-surface.c b/src/cairo-recording-surface.c
index e29727376..ce7c76086 100644
--- a/src/cairo-recording-surface.c
+++ b/src/cairo-recording-surface.c
@@ -1431,7 +1431,7 @@ _cairo_recording_surface_snapshot (void *abstract_other)
     surface->extents = other->extents;
     surface->unbounded = other->unbounded;
 
-    surface->base.is_clear = TRUE;
+    surface->base.is_clear = other->base.is_clear;
 
     surface->bbtree.left = surface->bbtree.right = NULL;
     surface->bbtree.chain = INVALID_CHAIN;