diff --git a/common/rfb/CConnection.cxx b/common/rfb/CConnection.cxx
index 805c8c3..14ef221 100644
--- a/common/rfb/CConnection.cxx
+++ b/common/rfb/CConnection.cxx
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
  * Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place - Suite 330, Boston, MA  02111-1307,
  * USA.
  */
+#include <assert.h>
 #include <stdio.h>
 #include <string.h>
 
@@ -335,12 +336,19 @@
   CMsgHandler::setExtendedDesktopSize(reason, result, w, h, layout);
 }
 
-void CConnection::serverInit()
+void CConnection::serverInit(int width, int height,
+                             const PixelFormat& pf,
+                             const char* name)
 {
+  CMsgHandler::serverInit(width, height, pf, name);
+
   state_ = RFBSTATE_NORMAL;
   vlog.debug("initialisation done");
 
   initDone();
+  assert(framebuffer != NULL);
+  assert(framebuffer->width() == server.width());
+  assert(framebuffer->height() == server.height());
 }
 
 void CConnection::readAndDecodeRect(const Rect& r, int encoding,
diff --git a/common/rfb/CConnection.h b/common/rfb/CConnection.h
index c996ecf..7623c02 100644
--- a/common/rfb/CConnection.h
+++ b/common/rfb/CConnection.h
@@ -100,7 +100,9 @@
                                         int w, int h,
                                         const ScreenSet& layout);
 
-    virtual void serverInit();
+    virtual void serverInit(int width, int height,
+                            const PixelFormat& pf,
+                            const char* name);
 
     virtual void readAndDecodeRect(const Rect& r, int encoding,
                                    ModifiablePixelBuffer* pb);
@@ -118,8 +120,10 @@
     // initDone() is called when the connection is fully established
     // and standard messages can be sent. This is called before the
     // initial FramebufferUpdateRequest giving a derived class the
-    // chance to modify pixel format and settings.
-    virtual void initDone();
+    // chance to modify pixel format and settings. The derived class
+    // must also make sure it has provided a valid framebuffer before
+    // returning.
+    virtual void initDone() = 0;
 
 
     // Other methods
diff --git a/common/rfb/CMsgHandler.cxx b/common/rfb/CMsgHandler.cxx
index 4289cbf..4fe5041 100644
--- a/common/rfb/CMsgHandler.cxx
+++ b/common/rfb/CMsgHandler.cxx
@@ -74,6 +74,15 @@
   server.supportsQEMUKeyEvent = true;
 }
 
+void CMsgHandler::serverInit(int width, int height,
+                             const PixelFormat& pf,
+                             const char* name)
+{
+  server.setDimensions(width, height);
+  server.setPF(pf);
+  server.setName(name);
+}
+
 void CMsgHandler::framebufferUpdateStart()
 {
 }
diff --git a/common/rfb/CMsgHandler.h b/common/rfb/CMsgHandler.h
index 55241da..effdaab 100644
--- a/common/rfb/CMsgHandler.h
+++ b/common/rfb/CMsgHandler.h
@@ -41,9 +41,9 @@
 
     // The following methods are called as corresponding messages are read.  A
     // derived class should override these methods as desired.  Note that for
-    // the setDesktopSize(), setExtendedDesktopSize(), setPixelFormat() and
-    // setName() methods, a derived class should call on to CMsgHandler's
-    // methods to set the members of "server" appropriately.
+    // the setDesktopSize(), setExtendedDesktopSize(), setPixelFormat(),
+    // setName() and serverInit() methods, a derived class should call on to
+    // CMsgHandler's methods to set the members of "server" appropriately.
 
     virtual void setDesktopSize(int w, int h);
     virtual void setExtendedDesktopSize(unsigned reason, unsigned result,
@@ -56,7 +56,9 @@
     virtual void fence(rdr::U32 flags, unsigned len, const char data[]);
     virtual void endOfContinuousUpdates();
     virtual void supportsQEMUKeyEvent();
-    virtual void serverInit() = 0;
+    virtual void serverInit(int width, int height,
+                            const PixelFormat& pf,
+                            const char* name) = 0;
 
     virtual void readAndDecodeRect(const Rect& r, int encoding,
                                    ModifiablePixelBuffer* pb) = 0;
diff --git a/common/rfb/CMsgReader.cxx b/common/rfb/CMsgReader.cxx
index 3ce7473..17152ab 100644
--- a/common/rfb/CMsgReader.cxx
+++ b/common/rfb/CMsgReader.cxx
@@ -43,13 +43,10 @@
 {
   int width = is->readU16();
   int height = is->readU16();
-  handler->setDesktopSize(width, height);
   PixelFormat pf;
   pf.read(is);
-  handler->setPixelFormat(pf);
   CharArray name(is->readString());
-  handler->setName(name.buf);
-  handler->serverInit();
+  handler->serverInit(width, height, pf, name.buf);
 }
 
 void CMsgReader::readMsg()