diff --git a/rtgui/histogrampanel.cc b/rtgui/histogrampanel.cc
index 41605d638..070d6bf41 100644
--- a/rtgui/histogrampanel.cc
+++ b/rtgui/histogrampanel.cc
@@ -1062,7 +1062,7 @@ HistogramArea::HistogramArea (DrawModeListener *fml) :
     needRed(options.histogramRed), needGreen(options.histogramGreen), needBlue(options.histogramBlue),
     needLuma(options.histogramLuma), needChroma(options.histogramChroma),
     isPressed(false), movingPosition(0.0),
-    needPointer(false),
+    needPointer(options.histogramBar),
     pointer_red(-1), pointer_green(-1), pointer_blue(-1),
     pointer_a(0), pointer_b(0)
 {