--- a/jdk/src/share/classes/java/util/logging/LogManager.java	Fri Dec 20 15:10:11 2013 -0800
+++ b/jdk/src/share/classes/java/util/logging/LogManager.java	Sun Dec 22 11:20:07 2013 +0100
@@ -321,6 +321,9 @@
                         // Create and retain Logger for the root of the namespace.
                         owner.rootLogger = owner.new RootLogger();
                         owner.addLogger(owner.rootLogger);
+                        if (!owner.rootLogger.isLevelInitialized()) {
+                            owner.rootLogger.setLevel(defaultLevel);
+                        }
 
                         // Adding the global Logger.
                         // Do not call Logger.getGlobal() here as this might trigger
@@ -1507,7 +1510,6 @@
             // to avoid calling LogManager.getLogManager() from within the
             // RootLogger constructor.
             super("", null, null, LogManager.this);
-            setLevel(defaultLevel);
         }
 
         @Override