diff --git a/gramps/plugins/lib/maps/geography.py b/gramps/plugins/lib/maps/geography.py
index 708e8ffae..6eb6f6ef4 100644
--- a/gramps/plugins/lib/maps/geography.py
+++ b/gramps/plugins/lib/maps/geography.py
@@ -152,10 +152,14 @@ class GeoGraphyView(OsmGps, NavigationView):
         self.geo_mainmap = None
         path = os.path.join(IMAGE_DIR, "48x48",
                             ('gramps-geo-mainmap' + '.png' ))
-        self.geo_mainmap = cairo.ImageSurface.create_from_png(path)
+        with open(path, 'rb') as fh: # this is to avoid bug with cairo 1.8.8
+            self.geo_mainmap = cairo.ImageSurface.create_from_png(fh)
+        #self.geo_mainmap = cairo.ImageSurface.create_from_png(path)
         path = os.path.join(IMAGE_DIR, "48x48",
                             ('gramps-geo-altmap' + '.png' ))
-        self.geo_altmap = cairo.ImageSurface.create_from_png(path)
+        with open(path, 'rb') as fh: # this is to avoid bug with cairo 1.8.8
+            self.geo_altmap = cairo.ImageSurface.create_from_png(fh)
+        #self.geo_altmap = cairo.ImageSurface.create_from_png(path)
         if ( config.get('geography.map_service') in
             ( constants.OPENSTREETMAP,
               constants.MAPS_FOR_FREE,
@@ -171,7 +175,9 @@ class GeoGraphyView(OsmGps, NavigationView):
                     EventType.MARRIAGE ):
             path = os.path.join(IMAGE_DIR, "48x48",
                                 (constants.ICONS.get(int(ident), default_image) + '.png' ))
-            self.geo_othermap[ident] = cairo.ImageSurface.create_from_png(path)
+            with open(path, 'rb') as fh: # this is to avoid bug with cairo 1.8.8
+                self.geo_othermap[ident] = cairo.ImageSurface.create_from_png(fh)
+            #self.geo_othermap[ident] = cairo.ImageSurface.create_from_png(path)
 
     def add_bookmark(self, menu, handle):
         if handle: