diff --git a/xbmc/threads/platform/win/ThreadImpl.cpp b/xbmc/threads/platform/win/ThreadImpl.cpp
index 2f1c66ac3c85b..843839fd7537d 100644
--- a/xbmc/threads/platform/win/ThreadImpl.cpp
+++ b/xbmc/threads/platform/win/ThreadImpl.cpp
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@
 #include <windows.h>
 #include <process.h>
 #include "threads/platform/win/Win32Exception.h"
+#include "../../win32/WIN32Util.h"
 
 void CThread::SpawnThread(unsigned stacksize)
 {
@@ -73,6 +74,8 @@ void CThread::SetThreadInfo()
   {
   }
 
+  CWIN32Util::SetThreadLocalLocale(true); // avoid crashing with setlocale(), see https://connect.microsoft.com/VisualStudio/feedback/details/794122
+
     win32_exception::install_handler();
 }