diff --git a/Lib/tkinter/__init__.py b/Lib/tkinter/__init__.py
index 3bfeb7a017..ee17f6a41c 100644
--- a/Lib/tkinter/__init__.py
+++ b/Lib/tkinter/__init__.py
@@ -2293,8 +2293,9 @@ def _loadtk(self):
         self.tk.createcommand('exit', _exit)
         self._tclCommands.append('tkerror')
         self._tclCommands.append('exit')
-        if _support_default_root and not _default_root:
-            _default_root = self
+        if _support_default_root:
+            if _default_root:
+                _default_root = self
         self.protocol("WM_DELETE_WINDOW", self.destroy)
 
     def destroy(self):
@@ -2304,8 +2305,9 @@ def destroy(self):
         self.tk.call('destroy', self._w)
         Misc.destroy(self)
         global _default_root
-        if _support_default_root and _default_root is self:
-            _default_root = None
+        if _support_default_root:
+            if _default_root is self:
+                _default_root = None
 
     def readprofile(self, baseName, className):
         """Internal function. It reads BASENAME.tcl and CLASSNAME.tcl into