diff --git a/src/Fl_Gl_Window.cxx b/src/Fl_Gl_Window.cxx
index 52bf72bad..2730787d2 100644
--- a/src/Fl_Gl_Window.cxx
+++ b/src/Fl_Gl_Window.cxx
@@ -34,6 +34,9 @@ static int temp = fl_gl_load_plugin;
 
 #include <FL/Fl.H>
 #include <FL/x.H>
+#ifdef __APPLE__
+#include <FL/gl.H>
+#endif
 #include "Fl_Gl_Choice.H"
 #include <FL/Fl_Gl_Window.H>
 #include <stdlib.h>
@@ -469,6 +472,10 @@ void Fl_Gl_Window::hide() {
 Fl_Gl_Window::~Fl_Gl_Window() {
   hide();
 //  delete overlay; this is done by ~Fl_Group
+#ifdef __APPLE__
+  // resets the pile of string textures used to draw strings
+  gl_texture_pile_height(gl_texture_pile_height());
+#endif
 }
 
 void Fl_Gl_Window::init() {
diff --git a/src/gl_draw.cxx b/src/gl_draw.cxx
index a15a15123..da2acff4c 100644
--- a/src/gl_draw.cxx
+++ b/src/gl_draw.cxx
@@ -559,6 +559,10 @@ void gl_texture_pile_height(int max)
 
 /** @} */
 
+#elif defined(__APPLE__)
+// used only if __ppc__
+int gl_texture_pile_height(void) {return 0;}
+void gl_texture_pile_height(int max) {}
 #endif // GL_DRAW_USES_TEXTURES
 
 #endif // HAVE_GL