diff --git a/src/CutAndPaste.cpp b/src/CutAndPaste.cpp
index 3692dcc873..9f4114e381 100644
--- a/src/CutAndPaste.cpp
+++ b/src/CutAndPaste.cpp
@@ -448,7 +448,7 @@ void switchBetweenClasses(TextClassPtr const & c1,
 			InsetFlex & inset =
 				static_cast<InsetFlex &>(*it);
 			string const name = inset.params().name;
-			InsetLayout const il = 
+			InsetLayout const & il = 
 				tclass2.insetlayout(from_utf8(name));
 			inset.setLayout(il);
 			if (il.labelstring == from_utf8("UNDEFINED")) {
diff --git a/src/TextClass.cpp b/src/TextClass.cpp
index 1692803133..c82b7367cf 100644
--- a/src/TextClass.cpp
+++ b/src/TextClass.cpp
@@ -707,6 +707,9 @@ void TextClass::readInsetLayout(Lexer & lexrc, docstring const & name)
 			break;
 		case IL_LABELFONT:
 			labelfont = lyxRead(lexrc, inherit_font);
+			// The label font is generally used as-is without
+			// any realization against a given context.
+			labelfont.realize(sane_font);
 			break;
 		case IL_FORCELTR:
 			lexrc.next();
diff --git a/src/factory.cpp b/src/factory.cpp
index 64eb68047e..f38cb450d0 100644
--- a/src/factory.cpp
+++ b/src/factory.cpp
@@ -104,8 +104,8 @@ Inset * createInset(BufferView * bv, FuncRequest const & cmd)
 
 		case LFUN_FLEX_INSERT: {
 			string s = cmd.getArg(0);
-			TextClass tclass = params.getTextClass();
-			InsetLayout il = tclass.insetlayout(from_utf8(s));
+			TextClass const & tclass = params.getTextClass();
+			InsetLayout const & il = tclass.insetlayout(from_utf8(s));
 			return new InsetFlex(params, il);
 		}
 
@@ -392,7 +392,7 @@ Inset * readInset(Lexer & lex, Buffer const & buf)
 
 	auto_ptr<Inset> inset;
 
-	TextClass tclass = buf.params().getTextClass();
+	TextClass const & tclass = buf.params().getTextClass();
 
 	lex.next();
 	string tmptok = lex.getString();
@@ -487,7 +487,7 @@ Inset * readInset(Lexer & lex, Buffer const & buf)
 		} else if (tmptok == "Flex") {
 			lex.next();
 			string s = lex.getString();
-			InsetLayout il = tclass.insetlayout(from_utf8(s));
+			InsetLayout const & il = tclass.insetlayout(from_utf8(s));
 			inset.reset(new InsetFlex(buf.params(), il));
 		} else if (tmptok == "Branch") {
 			inset.reset(new InsetBranch(buf.params(),
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetBox.cpp b/src/insets/InsetBox.cpp
index c88866d3d3..3783842ccc 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetBox.cpp
+++ b/src/insets/InsetBox.cpp
@@ -85,24 +85,14 @@ BoxTranslatorLoc const & boxtranslator_loc()
 } // anon
 
 
-void InsetBox::init()
-{
-	setButtonLabel();
-}
-
-
 InsetBox::InsetBox(BufferParams const & bp, string const & label)
 	: InsetCollapsable(bp), params_(label)
-{
-	init();
-}
+{}
 
 
 InsetBox::InsetBox(InsetBox const & in)
 	: InsetCollapsable(in), params_(in.params_)
-{
-	init();
-}
+{}
 
 
 InsetBox::~InsetBox()
@@ -134,7 +124,6 @@ void InsetBox::read(Buffer const & buf, Lexer & lex)
 {
 	params_.read(lex);
 	InsetCollapsable::read(buf, lex);
-	setButtonLabel();
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetBranch.cpp b/src/insets/InsetBranch.cpp
index 9af5c9e8b7..e053d75a89 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetBranch.cpp
+++ b/src/insets/InsetBranch.cpp
@@ -39,16 +39,12 @@ using std::ostringstream;
 InsetBranch::InsetBranch(BufferParams const & bp,
 			 InsetBranchParams const & params)
 	: InsetCollapsable(bp), params_(params)
-{
-	setButtonLabel();
-}
+{}
 
 
 InsetBranch::InsetBranch(InsetBranch const & in)
 	: InsetCollapsable(in), params_(in.params_)
-{
-	setButtonLabel();
-}
+{}
 
 
 InsetBranch::~InsetBranch()
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetCollapsable.cpp b/src/insets/InsetCollapsable.cpp
index c5f14d0773..939d1caac9 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetCollapsable.cpp
+++ b/src/insets/InsetCollapsable.cpp
@@ -101,14 +101,8 @@ InsetCollapsable::InsetCollapsable(InsetCollapsable const & rhs)
 
 void  InsetCollapsable::setLayout(BufferParams const & bp)
 {
-	// FIXME: put this in the InsetLayout parsing?
-	// Fallback for lacking inset layout background
-	layout_.bgcolor = Color_background;
-
-	layout_ = getLayout(bp);
-
-	// FIXME: put this in the InsetLayout parsing?
-	layout_.labelfont.realize(sane_font);
+	layout_ = &getLayout(bp);
+	labelstring_ = layout_->labelstring;
 
 	setButtonLabel();
 }
@@ -180,8 +174,8 @@ void InsetCollapsable::read(Buffer const & buf, Lexer & lex)
 Dimension InsetCollapsable::dimensionCollapsed() const
 {
 	Dimension dim;
-	theFontMetrics(layout_.labelfont).buttonText(
-		layout_.labelstring, dim.wid, dim.asc, dim.des);
+	theFontMetrics(layout_->labelfont).buttonText(
+		labelstring_, dim.wid, dim.asc, dim.des);
 	return dim;
 }
 
@@ -191,7 +185,7 @@ void InsetCollapsable::metrics(MetricsInfo & mi, Dimension & dim) const
 	autoOpen_ = mi.base.bv->cursor().isInside(this);
 
 	FontInfo tmpfont = mi.base.font;
-	mi.base.font = layout_.font;
+	mi.base.font = layout_->font;
 	mi.base.font.realize(tmpfont);
 
 	switch (geometry()) {
@@ -206,15 +200,14 @@ void InsetCollapsable::metrics(MetricsInfo & mi, Dimension & dim) const
 	case SubLabel: {
 		InsetText::metrics(mi, dim);
 		// consider width of the inset label
-		FontInfo font(layout_.labelfont);
+		FontInfo font(layout_->labelfont);
 		font.realize(sane_font);
 		font.decSize();
 		font.decSize();
 		int w = 0;
 		int a = 0;
 		int d = 0;
-		docstring s = layout_.labelstring;
-		theFontMetrics(font).rectText(s, w, a, d);
+		theFontMetrics(font).rectText(labelstring_, w, a, d);
 		dim.des += a + d;
 		break;
 		}
@@ -258,7 +251,7 @@ void InsetCollapsable::draw(PainterInfo & pi, int x, int y) const
 	pi.background_color = backgroundColor();
 
 	FontInfo tmpfont = pi.base.font;
-	pi.base.font = layout_.font;
+	pi.base.font = layout_->font;
 	pi.base.font.realize(tmpfont);
 
 	// Draw button first -- top, left or only
@@ -272,7 +265,8 @@ void InsetCollapsable::draw(PainterInfo & pi, int x, int y) const
 		button_dim.y1 = y - dimc.asc;
 		button_dim.y2 = y + dimc.des;
 
-		pi.pain.buttonText(x, y, layout_.labelstring, layout_.labelfont, mouse_hover_);
+		pi.pain.buttonText(x, y, labelstring_, layout_->labelfont,
+			mouse_hover_);
 	} else {
 		button_dim.x1 = 0;
 		button_dim.y1 = 0;
@@ -317,37 +311,36 @@ void InsetCollapsable::draw(PainterInfo & pi, int x, int y) const
 		const int xx2 = x + textdim.wid - TEXT_TO_INSET_OFFSET + 1;
 		pi.pain.line(xx1, y + desc - 4, 
 			     xx1, y + desc, 
-			layout_.labelfont.color());
+			layout_->labelfont.color());
 		if (internalStatus() == Open)
 			pi.pain.line(xx1, y + desc, 
 				xx2, y + desc,
-				layout_.labelfont.color());
+				layout_->labelfont.color());
 		else {
 			// Make status_ value visible:
 			pi.pain.line(xx1, y + desc,
 				xx1 + 4, y + desc,
-				layout_.labelfont.color());
+				layout_->labelfont.color());
 			pi.pain.line(xx2 - 4, y + desc,
 				xx2, y + desc,
-				layout_.labelfont.color());
+				layout_->labelfont.color());
 		}
 		pi.pain.line(x + textdim.wid - 3, y + desc, x + textdim.wid - 3, y + desc - 4,
-			layout_.labelfont.color());
+			layout_->labelfont.color());
 
 		// the label below the text. Can be toggled.
 		if (geometry() == SubLabel) {
-			FontInfo font(layout_.labelfont);
+			FontInfo font(layout_->labelfont);
 			font.realize(sane_font);
 			font.decSize();
 			font.decSize();
 			int w = 0;
 			int a = 0;
 			int d = 0;
-			docstring s = layout_.labelstring;
-			theFontMetrics(font).rectText(s, w, a, d);
+			theFontMetrics(font).rectText(labelstring_, w, a, d);
 			int const ww = max(textdim.wid, w);
 			pi.pain.rectText(x + (ww - w) / 2, y + desc + a,
-				s, font, Color_none, Color_none);
+				labelstring_, font, Color_none, Color_none);
 			desc += d;
 		}
 
@@ -356,12 +349,12 @@ void InsetCollapsable::draw(PainterInfo & pi, int x, int y) const
 		if (cur.isInside(this)) {
 			y -= textdim.asc;
 			y += 3;
-			pi.pain.line(xx1, y + 4, xx1, y, layout_.labelfont.color());
-			pi.pain.line(xx1 + 4, y, xx1, y, layout_.labelfont.color());
+			pi.pain.line(xx1, y + 4, xx1, y, layout_->labelfont.color());
+			pi.pain.line(xx1 + 4, y, xx1, y, layout_->labelfont.color());
 			pi.pain.line(xx2, y + 4, xx2, y,
-				layout_.labelfont.color());
+				layout_->labelfont.color());
 			pi.pain.line(xx2 - 4, y, xx2, y,
-				layout_.labelfont.color());
+				layout_->labelfont.color());
 		}
 		break;
 	}
@@ -580,7 +573,7 @@ void InsetCollapsable::doDispatch(Cursor & cur, FuncRequest & cmd)
 	}
 
 	default:
-		if (layout_.forceltr) {
+		if (layout_->forceltr) {
 			// Force any new text to latex_language
 			// FIXME: This should only be necessary in constructor, but
 			// new paragraphs that are created by pressing enter at the
@@ -598,7 +591,7 @@ void InsetCollapsable::doDispatch(Cursor & cur, FuncRequest & cmd)
 
 bool InsetCollapsable::allowMultiPar() const
 {
-	return layout_.multipar;
+	return layout_->multipar;
 }
 
 
@@ -606,9 +599,9 @@ void InsetCollapsable::resetParagraphsFont()
 {
 	Font font;
 	font.fontInfo() = sane_font;
-	if (layout_.forceltr)
+	if (layout_->forceltr)
 		font.setLanguage(latex_language);
-	if (layout_.passthru) {
+	if (layout_->passthru) {
 		ParagraphList::iterator par = paragraphs().begin();
 		ParagraphList::iterator const end = paragraphs().end();
 		while (par != end) {
@@ -715,7 +708,7 @@ bool InsetCollapsable::getStatus(Cursor & cur, FuncRequest const & cmd,
 	case LFUN_TABULAR_INSERT:
 	case LFUN_TOC_INSERT:
 	case LFUN_WRAP_INSERT:
-	if (layout_.passthru) {
+	if (layout_->passthru) {
 		flag.enabled(false);
 		return true;
 	} else
@@ -730,12 +723,12 @@ bool InsetCollapsable::getStatus(Cursor & cur, FuncRequest const & cmd,
 		return true;
 
 	case LFUN_LANGUAGE:
-		flag.enabled(!layout_.forceltr);
+		flag.enabled(!layout_->forceltr);
 		return InsetText::getStatus(cur, cmd, flag);
 
 	case LFUN_BREAK_PARAGRAPH:
 	case LFUN_BREAK_PARAGRAPH_SKIP:
-		flag.enabled(layout_.multipar);
+		flag.enabled(layout_->multipar);
 		return true;
 
 	default:
@@ -746,7 +739,7 @@ bool InsetCollapsable::getStatus(Cursor & cur, FuncRequest const & cmd,
 
 void InsetCollapsable::setLabel(docstring const & l)
 {
-	layout_.labelstring = l;
+	labelstring_ = l;
 }
 
 
@@ -770,11 +763,11 @@ docstring InsetCollapsable::floatName(string const & type, BufferParams const &
 
 InsetCollapsable::Decoration InsetCollapsable::decoration() const
 {
-	if (layout_.decoration == "classic")
+	if (layout_->decoration == "classic")
 		return Classic;
-	if (layout_.decoration == "minimalistic")
+	if (layout_->decoration == "minimalistic")
 		return Minimalistic;
-	if (layout_.decoration == "conglomerate")
+	if (layout_->decoration == "conglomerate")
 		return Conglomerate;
 	if (name() == from_ascii("Flex"))
 		return Conglomerate;
@@ -789,32 +782,32 @@ int InsetCollapsable::latex(Buffer const & buf, odocstream & os,
 	// a collapsable inset, either a command or an environment. Standard 
 	// collapsable insets should not redefine this, non-standard ones may
 	// call this.
-	if (!layout_.latexname.empty()) {
-		if (layout_.latextype == "command") {
+	if (!layout_->latexname.empty()) {
+		if (layout_->latextype == "command") {
 			// FIXME UNICODE
 			if (runparams.moving_arg)
 				os << "\\protect";
-			os << '\\' << from_utf8(layout_.latexname);
-			if (!layout_.latexparam.empty())
-				os << from_utf8(layout_.latexparam);
+			os << '\\' << from_utf8(layout_->latexname);
+			if (!layout_->latexparam.empty())
+				os << from_utf8(layout_->latexparam);
 			os << '{';
-		} else if (layout_.latextype == "environment") {
-			os << "%\n\\begin{" << from_utf8(layout_.latexname) << "}\n";
-			if (!layout_.latexparam.empty())
-				os << from_utf8(layout_.latexparam);
+		} else if (layout_->latextype == "environment") {
+			os << "%\n\\begin{" << from_utf8(layout_->latexname) << "}\n";
+			if (!layout_->latexparam.empty())
+				os << from_utf8(layout_->latexparam);
 		}
 	}
 	OutputParams rp = runparams;
-	if (layout_.passthru)
+	if (layout_->passthru)
 		rp.verbatim = true;
-	if (layout_.needprotect)
+	if (layout_->needprotect)
 		rp.moving_arg = true;
 	int i = InsetText::latex(buf, os, rp);
-	if (!layout_.latexname.empty()) {
-		if (layout_.latextype == "command") {
+	if (!layout_->latexname.empty()) {
+		if (layout_->latextype == "command") {
 			os << "}";
-		} else if (layout_.latextype == "environment") {
-			os << "\n\\end{" << from_utf8(layout_.latexname) << "}\n";
+		} else if (layout_->latextype == "environment") {
+			os << "\n\\end{" << from_utf8(layout_->latexname) << "}\n";
 			i += 4;
 		}
 	}
@@ -825,7 +818,7 @@ int InsetCollapsable::latex(Buffer const & buf, odocstream & os,
 void InsetCollapsable::validate(LaTeXFeatures & features) const
 {
 	// Force inclusion of preamble snippet in layout file
-	features.require(layout_.name);
+	features.require(layout_->name);
 	InsetText::validate(features);
 }
 
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetCollapsable.h b/src/insets/InsetCollapsable.h
index fb8e175857..b97ce32ca1 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetCollapsable.h
+++ b/src/insets/InsetCollapsable.h
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ public:
 	///
 	bool setMouseHover(bool mouse_hover);
 	///
-	virtual ColorCode backgroundColor() const {return layout_.bgcolor; }
+	virtual ColorCode backgroundColor() const {return layout_->bgcolor; }
 
 	int latex(Buffer const &, odocstream &,
 		  OutputParams const &) const;
@@ -136,9 +136,9 @@ public:
 	virtual InsetCode lyxCode() const { return COLLAPSABLE_CODE; }
 
 	/// Allow multiple blanks
-	virtual bool isFreeSpacing() const { return layout_.freespacing; }
+	virtual bool isFreeSpacing() const { return layout_->freespacing; }
 	/// Don't eliminate empty paragraphs
-	virtual bool allowEmpty() const { return layout_.keepempty; }
+	virtual bool allowEmpty() const { return layout_->keepempty; }
 
 protected:
 	///
@@ -164,10 +164,12 @@ protected:
 	///
 	mutable int topbaseline;
 	///
-	mutable InsetLayout layout_;
+	InsetLayout const * layout_;
 	///
 	CollapseStatus internalStatus() const { return status_; }
 private:
+	///
+	docstring labelstring_;
 	///
 	mutable CollapseStatus status_;
 	/// a substatus of the Open status, determined automatically in metrics
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetERT.cpp b/src/insets/InsetERT.cpp
index 650b7811c9..50d7e79cde 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetERT.cpp
+++ b/src/insets/InsetERT.cpp
@@ -49,27 +49,14 @@ using std::ostringstream;
 using std::string;
 
 
-void InsetERT::init()
-{
-	setButtonLabel();
-	// FIXME: what to do with those?
-	//text_.current_font.setLanguage(latex_language);
-	//text_.real_current_font.setLanguage(latex_language);
-}
-
-
 InsetERT::InsetERT(BufferParams const & bp, CollapseStatus status)
 	: InsetCollapsable(bp, status)
-{
-	init();
-}
+{}
 
 
 InsetERT::InsetERT(InsetERT const & in)
 	: InsetCollapsable(in)
-{
-	init();
-}
+{}
 
 
 Inset * InsetERT::clone() const
@@ -78,21 +65,6 @@ Inset * InsetERT::clone() const
 }
 
 
-#if 0
-InsetERT::InsetERT(BufferParams const & bp,
-		   Language const *, string const & contents, CollapseStatus status)
-	: InsetCollapsable(bp, status)
-{
-	Font font(FONT_INHERIT, latex_language);
-	paragraphs().begin()->insert(0, contents, font);
-
-	// the init has to be after the initialization of the paragraph
-	// because of the label settings (draw_label for ert insets).
-	init();
-}
-#endif
-
-
 InsetERT::~InsetERT()
 {
 	InsetERTMailer(*this).hideDialog();
@@ -180,7 +152,7 @@ void InsetERT::doDispatch(Cursor & cur, FuncRequest & cmd)
 	}
 	default:
 		// Force any new text to latex_language
-		// FIXME: This should only be necessary in init(), but
+		// FIXME: This should not be necessary but
 		// new paragraphs that are created by pressing enter at the
 		// start of an existing paragraph get the buffer language
 		// and not latex_language, so we take this brute force
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetERT.h b/src/insets/InsetERT.h
index bb6fc4c8ea..9a6577dcdc 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetERT.h
+++ b/src/insets/InsetERT.h
@@ -80,8 +80,6 @@ protected:
 private:
 	virtual Inset * clone() const;
 	///
-	void init();
-	///
 	void setButtonLabel();
 	///
 	bool allowSpellCheck() const { return false; }
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetFlex.cpp b/src/insets/InsetFlex.cpp
index c21388d013..55bdb86c52 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetFlex.cpp
+++ b/src/insets/InsetFlex.cpp
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ using std::ostream;
 
 
 InsetFlex::InsetFlex(BufferParams const & bp,
-				InsetLayout il)
+				InsetLayout const & il)
 	: InsetCollapsable(bp, Collapsed)
 {
 	params_.name = il.name;
@@ -54,7 +54,9 @@ InsetFlex::InsetFlex(BufferParams const & bp,
 
 InsetFlex::InsetFlex(InsetFlex const & in)
 	: InsetCollapsable(in), params_(in.params_)
-{}
+{
+	setLayout(*in.layout_);
+}
 
 
 Inset * InsetFlex::clone() const
@@ -65,13 +67,13 @@ Inset * InsetFlex::clone() const
 
 bool InsetFlex::undefined() const
 {
-	return layout_.labelstring == from_utf8("UNDEFINED");
+	return layout_->labelstring == from_utf8("UNDEFINED");
 }
 
 
-void InsetFlex::setLayout(InsetLayout il)
+void InsetFlex::setLayout(InsetLayout const & il)
 {
-	layout_ = il;
+	layout_ = &il;
 }
 
 
@@ -111,8 +113,8 @@ int InsetFlex::docbook(Buffer const & buf, odocstream & os,
 
 	if (!undefined())
 		// FIXME UNICODE
-		sgml::openTag(os, layout_.latexname,
-			      par->getID(buf, runparams) + layout_.latexparam);
+		sgml::openTag(os, layout_->latexname,
+			      par->getID(buf, runparams) + layout_->latexparam);
 
 	for (; par != end; ++par) {
 		par->simpleDocBookOnePar(buf, os, runparams,
@@ -121,7 +123,7 @@ int InsetFlex::docbook(Buffer const & buf, odocstream & os,
 	}
 
 	if (!undefined())
-		sgml::closeTag(os, layout_.latexname);
+		sgml::closeTag(os, layout_->latexname);
 
 	return 0;
 }
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetFlex.h b/src/insets/InsetFlex.h
index e21774e0c8..139ca4c4d6 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetFlex.h
+++ b/src/insets/InsetFlex.h
@@ -37,16 +37,17 @@ public:
 class InsetFlex : public InsetCollapsable {
 public:
 	///
-	InsetFlex(BufferParams const &, InsetLayout);
+	InsetFlex(BufferParams const &, InsetLayout const &);
 	///
 	docstring name() const { return from_ascii("Flex"); }
 	///
-	InsetLayout const & getLayout(BufferParams const &) const { return layout_; } 
+	InsetLayout const & getLayout(BufferParams const &) const
+	{ return *layout_; } 
 	/// Is this character style defined in the document's textclass?
 	/// May be wrong after textclass change or paste from another document
 	bool undefined() const;
 	/// (Re-)set the character style parameters from \p il
-	void setLayout(InsetLayout il);
+	void setLayout(InsetLayout const & il);
 	///
 	virtual docstring const editMessage() const;
 	///
diff --git a/src/insets/InsetNote.cpp b/src/insets/InsetNote.cpp
index f6e2783474..8e34adc33b 100644
--- a/src/insets/InsetNote.cpp
+++ b/src/insets/InsetNote.cpp
@@ -116,15 +116,12 @@ InsetNote::InsetNote(BufferParams const & bp, string const & label)
 	: InsetCollapsable(bp)
 {
 	params_.type = notetranslator().find(label);
-	setButtonLabel();
 }
 
 
 InsetNote::InsetNote(InsetNote const & in)
 	: InsetCollapsable(in), params_(in.params_)
-{
-	setButtonLabel();
-}
+{}
 
 
 InsetNote::~InsetNote()