diff --git a/src/LyX.cpp b/src/LyX.cpp
index 15326e09da..3a03eb3145 100644
--- a/src/LyX.cpp
+++ b/src/LyX.cpp
@@ -281,6 +281,13 @@ void setRcGuiLanguage()
 
 int LyX::exec(int & argc, char * argv[])
 {
+	// Minimal setting of locale before parsing command line
+	try {
+		init_package(os::utf8_argv(0), string(), string(),
+			      top_build_dir_is_one_level_up);
+	} catch (ExceptionMessage const & message) {}
+	Messages::init();
+
 	// Here we need to parse the command line. At least
 	// we need to parse for "-dbg" and "-help"
 	easyParse(argc, argv);