--- a/src/qtgui/rclmain_w.cpp
+++ b/src/qtgui/rclmain_w.cpp
@@ -122,6 +122,10 @@
     m_idxStatusAck = false;
 
     periodictimer = new QTimer(this);
+
+    // At least some versions of qt4 don't display the status bar if
+    // it's not created here.
+    (void)statusBar();
 
     (void)new HelpClient(this);
     HelpClient::installMap(this->name(), "RCL.SEARCH.SIMPLE");