diff --git a/gajim/gtk/application.py b/gajim/gtk/application.py
index 0b3fd7d76884fd9136bb34b132f10eb783ee386b..984e22a1ee4db4aad3342e26426238ec5b23b9ce 100644
--- a/gajim/gtk/application.py
+++ b/gajim/gtk/application.py
@@ -208,6 +208,11 @@ def _get_remaining_entry():
         return [option]
 
     def _startup(self, _application: GajimApplication) -> None:
+        if sys.platform == 'win32':
+            # Changing the PANGOCAIRO_BACKEND is necessary on Windows
+            # to render colored emoji glyphs
+            os.environ['PANGOCAIRO_BACKEND'] = 'fontconfig'
+
         self._init_core()
 
         icon_theme = Gtk.IconTheme.get_default()