diff --git a/tools/PictureRenderer.cpp b/tools/PictureRenderer.cpp
index d407b0e..23223da 100644
--- a/tools/PictureRenderer.cpp
+++ b/tools/PictureRenderer.cpp
@@ -164,6 +164,11 @@
 
 ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
+SkCanvas* RecordPictureRenderer::setupCanvas(int width, int height) {
+    // defer the canvas setup until the render step
+    return NULL;
+}
+
 bool RecordPictureRenderer::render(const SkString*) {
     SkAutoTUnref<SkPicture> replayer(this->createPicture());
     SkCanvas* recorder = replayer->beginRecording(fPicture->width(), fPicture->height(),
diff --git a/tools/PictureRenderer.h b/tools/PictureRenderer.h
index a3c879a..3858f81 100644
--- a/tools/PictureRenderer.h
+++ b/tools/PictureRenderer.h
@@ -169,6 +169,9 @@
 
     virtual SkString getNormalTimeFormat() SK_OVERRIDE { return SkString("%6.4f"); }
 
+protected:
+    virtual SkCanvas* setupCanvas(int width, int height) SK_OVERRIDE;
+
 private:
     virtual SkString getConfigNameInternal() SK_OVERRIDE;
 };