diff --git a/gitk b/gitk
index 5e3ad1588..36a48d54c 100755
--- a/gitk
+++ b/gitk
@@ -11521,6 +11521,11 @@ if {[tk windowingsystem] eq "aqua"} {
     set mainfont {{Lucida Grande} 9}
     set textfont {Monaco 9}
     set uifont {{Lucida Grande} 9 bold}
+} elseif {![catch {::tk::pkgconfig get fontsystem} xft] && $xft eq "xft"} {
+    # fontconfig!
+    set mainfont {sans 9}
+    set textfont {monospace 9}
+    set uifont {sans 9 bold}
 } else {
     set mainfont {Helvetica 9}
     set textfont {Courier 9}