 			throw new TypeError("Parameter text must be non-null.");
 		}
 		
-		// FIXME (gosmith): Explain why we don't do this.		
-		//    	if (value == htmlText)
-		//    		return;
+		// Note: We don't return early if value == _htmlText
+		// because the defaultTextFormat may have changed
+		// in which case we need to recompose.
+		
+		// Remember the value of condenseWhite at the time
+		// that htmlText is set, because it could be changed
+		// before the TextLines are rendered.
+		setFlagToValue(FLAG_EFFECTIVE_CONDENSE_WHITE,
+					   testFlag(FLAG_CONDENSE_WHITE));
 		
 		_htmlText = value;
 		

		// TextField allows a null value to be set;
		// in fact, this is the default.
		
		// FIXME (gosmith): Explain why we don't do this.
		//if (value == _styleSheet)
		//	return;
		
		_styleSheet = value;
		

								
		elementFormat.locale = locale;
				
		elementFormat.trackingRight = Number(_defaultTextFormat.letterSpacing);
	}
	
	/**
