diff --git a/changes/2916.bugfix.rst b/changes/2916.bugfix.rst
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..8e89d77924
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changes/2916.bugfix.rst
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Fixed a bug where styles were being applied before the widget's implementation was available.
diff --git a/core/src/toga/style/pack.py b/core/src/toga/style/pack.py
index 8743293968..4c08ee70f1 100644
--- a/core/src/toga/style/pack.py
+++ b/core/src/toga/style/pack.py
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ def _hidden(self) -> bool:
         return self.visibility == HIDDEN
 
     def apply(self, prop: str, value: object) -> None:
-        if self._applicator:
+        if self._applicator and self._applicator.widget._impl:
             if prop == "text_align":
                 if value is None:
                     if self.text_direction == RTL:
diff --git a/core/src/toga/widgets/base.py b/core/src/toga/widgets/base.py
index 8a545916d4..7688106ef9 100644
--- a/core/src/toga/widgets/base.py
+++ b/core/src/toga/widgets/base.py
@@ -33,6 +33,8 @@ def __init__(
         :param style: A style object. If no style is provided, a default style
             will be applied to the widget.
         """
+        self._impl: Any = None
+
         super().__init__(
             style=style if style else Pack(),
             applicator=TogaApplicator(self),
@@ -41,7 +43,6 @@ def __init__(
         self._id = str(id if id else identifier(self))
         self._window: Window | None = None
         self._app: App | None = None
-        self._impl: Any = None
 
         self.factory = get_platform_factory()
 
diff --git a/core/tests/style/pack/utils.py b/core/tests/style/pack/utils.py
index 1c46b41822..b38d2ac77b 100644
--- a/core/tests/style/pack/utils.py
+++ b/core/tests/style/pack/utils.py
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@
 
 class ExampleNode(Node):
     def __init__(self, name, style, size=None, children=None):
+        self._impl = None
+
         super().__init__(
             style=style, children=children, applicator=TogaApplicator(self)
         )