diff --git a/kivy/uix/widget.py b/kivy/uix/widget.py
index ff5194408..abee4a717 100644
--- a/kivy/uix/widget.py
+++ b/kivy/uix/widget.py
@@ -291,7 +291,7 @@ class Widget(EventDispatcher):
 
             children.insert(index, widget)
             # we never want to insert widget _before_ canvas.before.
-            if next_index == 0:
+            if next_index == 0 and canvas.has_before:
                 next_index = 1
             canvas.insert(next_index, widget.canvas)