diff --git a/lwlib/xlwmenu.c b/lwlib/xlwmenu.c
index cf6a8b1387e..ace5141cdbc 100644
--- a/lwlib/xlwmenu.c
+++ b/lwlib/xlwmenu.c
@@ -2105,7 +2105,8 @@ XlwMenuDestroy (Widget w)
     ungrab_all ((Widget)w, CurrentTime);
   pointer_grabbed = 0;
 
-  submenu_destroyed = 1;
+  if (!XtIsShell (XtParent (w)))
+    submenu_destroyed = 1;
 
   release_drawing_gcs (mw);
   release_shadow_gcs (mw);