diff --git a/Tests/images/first_frame_transparency.gif b/Tests/images/first_frame_transparency.gif
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..86dc0de64
Binary files /dev/null and b/Tests/images/first_frame_transparency.gif differ
diff --git a/Tests/test_file_gif.py b/Tests/test_file_gif.py
index df029dceb..556ecec6b 100644
--- a/Tests/test_file_gif.py
+++ b/Tests/test_file_gif.py
@@ -298,6 +298,12 @@ def test_eoferror():
         im.seek(n_frames - 1)
 
 
+def test_first_frame_transparency():
+    with Image.open("Tests/images/first_frame_transparency.gif") as im:
+        px = im.load()
+        assert px[0, 0] == im.info["transparency"]
+
+
 def test_dispose_none():
     with Image.open("Tests/images/dispose_none.gif") as img:
         try:
diff --git a/src/PIL/GifImagePlugin.py b/src/PIL/GifImagePlugin.py
index 5c93de2c9..658bee214 100644
--- a/src/PIL/GifImagePlugin.py
+++ b/src/PIL/GifImagePlugin.py
@@ -317,6 +317,12 @@ class GifImageFile(ImageFile.ImageFile):
         if self.palette:
             self.mode = "P"
 
+    def load_prepare(self):
+        if not self.im and "transparency" in self.info:
+            self.im = Image.core.fill(self.mode, self.size, self.info["transparency"])
+
+        super(GifImageFile, self).load_prepare()
+
     def tell(self):
         return self.__frame