diff --git a/pidgin/gtkmain.c b/pidgin/gtkmain.c
index 6e828fc..e690d58 100644
--- a/pidgin/gtkmain.c
+++ b/pidgin/gtkmain.c
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@
 #endif
 
 #include <getopt.h>
-
+#include <gst/gst.h>
 
 #ifdef HAVE_SIGNAL_H
 
@@ -523,7 +523,15 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 #endif
 
 	/* Initialize GThread before calling any Glib or GTK+ functions. */
+#if !GLIB_CHECK_VERSION(2, 32, 0)
+	/* GLib threading system is automaticaly initialized since 2.32.
+	 * For earlier versions, it have to be initialized before calling any
+	 * Glib or GTK+ functions.
+	 */
 	g_thread_init(NULL);
+#endif
+        /* make sure Gst is initialized before any other Glib/Gst calls (see Gst docs) */
+        gst_init(NULL, NULL);
 
 	g_set_prgname("Pidgin");