diff --git a/src/orca/orca.py b/src/orca/orca.py
index 1e4faa7..9b3ba03 100644
--- a/src/orca/orca.py
+++ b/src/orca/orca.py
@@ -320,6 +320,7 @@ def _storeXmodmap(keyList):
     """
 
     global _originalXmodmap
+    subprocess.run("setxkbmap")  # this seems to be needed to make sure that xkbcomp loads /etc/default/keyboard first...
     _originalXmodmap = subprocess.check_output(['xkbcomp', os.environ['DISPLAY'], '-'])
 
 def _restoreXmodmap(keyList=[]):
