diff --git a/src/PIL/GifImagePlugin.py b/src/PIL/GifImagePlugin.py
index f8cacffbd..f2857ac36 100644
--- a/src/PIL/GifImagePlugin.py
+++ b/src/PIL/GifImagePlugin.py
@@ -286,6 +286,16 @@ class GifImageFile(ImageFile.ImageFile):
         if self.palette:
             self.mode = "P"
 
+    def load_prepare(self):
+        super(GifImageFile, self).load_prepare()
+
+        if self.__frame == 0:
+            # On the first frame, clear the buffer.  Use the transparency index
+            # if we have one, otherwise use the background index.
+            default_color = self.info.get("transparency",
+                            self.info.get("background", 0))
+            self.im.paste(default_color, (0,0, self.size[0], self.size[1]))
+
     def tell(self):
         return self.__frame