diff --git a/src/osgText/TextBase.cpp b/src/osgText/TextBase.cpp
index bce1a3cd3..b4a97e66c 100644
--- a/src/osgText/TextBase.cpp
+++ b/src/osgText/TextBase.cpp
@@ -497,6 +497,7 @@ bool TextBase::computeMatrix(osg::Matrix& matrix, osg::State* state) const
         rotate_matrix.invert(temp_matrix);
 
         matrix.makeTranslate(-_offset);
+        matrix.postMultRotate(_rotation);
 
         if (_characterSizeMode!=OBJECT_COORDS)
         {
@@ -551,8 +552,6 @@ bool TextBase::computeMatrix(osg::Matrix& matrix, osg::State* state) const
             }
         }
 
-        matrix.postMultRotate(_rotation);
-
         if (_autoRotateToScreen)
         {
             matrix.postMult(rotate_matrix);