diff --git a/i3bar/src/ipc.c b/i3bar/src/ipc.c
index 3eb50beb..e1b343e5 100644
--- a/i3bar/src/ipc.c
+++ b/i3bar/src/ipc.c
@@ -159,6 +159,9 @@ void got_bar_config_update(char *event) {
     if (found_id == NULL)
         return;
 
+    /* reconfigure the bar based on the current outputs */
+    i3_send_msg(I3_IPC_MESSAGE_TYPE_GET_OUTPUTS, NULL);
+
     free_colors(&(config.colors));
 
     /* update the configuration with the received settings */
@@ -169,6 +172,8 @@ void got_bar_config_update(char *event) {
         reconfig_windows(true);
     }
 
+    /* update fonts and colors */
+    init_xcb_late(config.fontname);
     init_colors(&(config.colors));
     realloc_sl_buffer();
 
diff --git a/include/libi3.h b/include/libi3.h
index 7c0ead32..7a2bdf58 100644
--- a/include/libi3.h
+++ b/include/libi3.h
@@ -290,7 +290,8 @@ uint32_t get_mod_mask_for(uint32_t keysym,
 
 /**
  * Loads a font for usage, also getting its height. If fallback is true,
- * the fonts 'fixed' or '-misc-*' will be loaded instead of exiting.
+ * the fonts 'fixed' or '-misc-*' will be loaded instead of exiting. If any
+ * font was previously loaded, it will be freed.
  *
  */
 i3Font load_font(const char *pattern, const bool fallback);
@@ -302,7 +303,8 @@ i3Font load_font(const char *pattern, const bool fallback);
 void set_font(i3Font *font);
 
 /**
- * Frees the resources taken by the current font.
+ * Frees the resources taken by the current font. If no font was previously
+ * loaded, it simply returns.
  *
  */
 void free_font(void);
diff --git a/libi3/font.c b/libi3/font.c
index 7670335f..a338f975 100644
--- a/libi3/font.c
+++ b/libi3/font.c
@@ -160,10 +160,14 @@ static int predict_text_width_pango(const char *text, size_t text_len) {
 
 /*
  * Loads a font for usage, also getting its metrics. If fallback is true,
- * the fonts 'fixed' or '-misc-*' will be loaded instead of exiting.
+ * the fonts 'fixed' or '-misc-*' will be loaded instead of exiting. If any
+ * font was previously loaded, it will be freed.
  *
  */
 i3Font load_font(const char *pattern, const bool fallback) {
+    /* if any font was previously loaded, free it now */
+    free_font();
+
     i3Font font;
     font.type = FONT_TYPE_NONE;
 
@@ -257,10 +261,15 @@ void set_font(i3Font *font) {
 }
 
 /*
- * Frees the resources taken by the current font.
+ * Frees the resources taken by the current font. If no font was previously
+ * loaded, it simply returns.
  *
  */
 void free_font(void) {
+    /* if there is no saved font, simply return */
+    if (savedFont == NULL)
+        return;
+
     free(savedFont->pattern);
     switch (savedFont->type) {
         case FONT_TYPE_NONE:
@@ -283,6 +292,8 @@ void free_font(void) {
             assert(false);
             break;
     }
+
+    savedFont = NULL;
 }
 
 /*