diff --git a/dlls/winex11.drv/event.c b/dlls/winex11.drv/event.c
index 1f9d2a94e9c..f3010de2ac9 100644
--- a/dlls/winex11.drv/event.c
+++ b/dlls/winex11.drv/event.c
@@ -349,6 +349,7 @@ static inline BOOL can_activate_window( HWND hwnd )
     LONG style = GetWindowLongW( hwnd, GWL_STYLE );
     if (!(style & WS_VISIBLE)) return FALSE;
     if ((style & (WS_POPUP|WS_CHILD)) == WS_CHILD) return FALSE;
+    if (hwnd == GetDesktopWindow()) return FALSE;
     return !(style & WS_DISABLED);
 }