diff --git a/lib/naughty/core.lua b/lib/naughty/core.lua
index f08e84faf..f55e68d55 100644
--- a/lib/naughty/core.lua
+++ b/lib/naughty/core.lua
@@ -781,18 +781,18 @@ function naughty.notify(args)
     notification.iconbox = iconbox
 
     -- create container wibox
-    if not reuse_box then
-        notification.box = wibox({ type = "notification" })
-    else
+    notification.box = wibox({ fg = fg,
+                               bg = bg,
+                               border_color = border_color,
+                               border_width = border_width,
+                               shape_border_color = shape and border_color,
+                               shape_border_width = shape and border_width,
+                               shape = shape,
+                               type = "notification" })
+
+    if reuse_box then
         notification.box = reuse_box
     end
-    notification.box.fg = fg
-    notification.box.bg = bg
-    notification.box.border_color = border_color
-    notification.box.border_width = border_width
-    notification.box.shape_border_color = shape and border_color
-    notification.box.shape_border_width = shape and border_width
-    notification.box.shape = shape
 
     if hover_timeout then notification.box:connect_signal("mouse::enter", hover_destroy) end