--- old/src/java.desktop/share/classes/javax/swing/plaf/basic/BasicMenuItemUI.java	2017-10-31 17:18:45.479257200 +0530
+++ new/src/java.desktop/share/classes/javax/swing/plaf/basic/BasicMenuItemUI.java	2017-10-31 17:18:43.931527900 +0530
@@ -459,7 +459,11 @@
         if (v != null) {
             d = getPreferredSize(c);
             d.width -= v.getPreferredSpan(View.X_AXIS) - v.getMinimumSpan(View.X_AXIS);
+        } else if (c.getParent() instanceof JMenuBar) {
+            //if the menu is a toplevel item, then return preferred size.
+            d = getPreferredSize(c);
         }
+
         return d;
     }