diff --git a/i3bar/src/main.c b/i3bar/src/main.c
index be684fc5..910e9524 100644
--- a/i3bar/src/main.c
+++ b/i3bar/src/main.c
@@ -149,6 +149,8 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
         socket_path = expand_path(i3_default_sock_path);
     }
 
+    init_dpi();
+
     init_outputs();
     if (init_connection(socket_path)) {
         /* Request the bar configuration. When it arrives, we fill the config array. */
diff --git a/include/libi3.h b/include/libi3.h
index 11ca3127..94e1d78b 100644
--- a/include/libi3.h
+++ b/include/libi3.h
@@ -473,6 +473,12 @@ char *get_exe_path(const char *argv0);
  */
 void init_dpi(void);
 
+/**
+ * This function returns the value of the DPI setting.
+ *
+ */
+long get_dpi_value(void);
+
 /**
  * Convert a logical amount of pixels (e.g. 2 pixels on a “standard” 96 DPI
  * screen) to a corresponding amount of physical pixels on a standard or retina
diff --git a/libi3/dpi.c b/libi3/dpi.c
index a832a689..d0d1bc68 100644
--- a/libi3/dpi.c
+++ b/libi3/dpi.c
@@ -64,6 +64,14 @@ init_dpi_end:
     }
 }
 
+/*
+ * This function returns the value of the DPI setting.
+ *
+ */
+long get_dpi_value(void) {
+    return dpi;
+}
+
 /*
  * Convert a logical amount of pixels (e.g. 2 pixels on a “standard” 96 DPI
  * screen) to a corresponding amount of physical pixels on a standard or retina
diff --git a/libi3/font.c b/libi3/font.c
index fa848481..81091ea7 100644
--- a/libi3/font.c
+++ b/libi3/font.c
@@ -24,24 +24,12 @@ static double pango_font_red;
 static double pango_font_green;
 static double pango_font_blue;
 
-/* Necessary to track whether the dpi changes and trigger a LOG() message,
- * which is more easily visible to users. */
-static double logged_dpi = 0.0;
-
 static PangoLayout *create_layout_with_dpi(cairo_t *cr) {
     PangoLayout *layout;
     PangoContext *context;
 
     context = pango_cairo_create_context(cr);
-    const double dpi = (double)root_screen->height_in_pixels * 25.4 /
-                       (double)root_screen->height_in_millimeters;
-    if (logged_dpi != dpi) {
-        logged_dpi = dpi;
-        LOG("X11 root window dictates %f DPI\n", dpi);
-    } else {
-        DLOG("X11 root window dictates %f DPI\n", dpi);
-    }
-    pango_cairo_context_set_resolution(context, dpi);
+    pango_cairo_context_set_resolution(context, get_dpi_value());
     layout = pango_layout_new(context);
     g_object_unref(context);