diff --git a/calmwm.c b/calmwm.c
index 2b4fdd9..09e006f 100644
--- a/calmwm.c
+++ b/calmwm.c
@@ -176,6 +176,12 @@ x_setupscreen(struct screen_ctx *sc, u_int which)
 
 	xu_setwmname(sc);
 
+	rootattr.event_mask = ChildMask|PropertyChangeMask|EnterWindowMask|
+	    LeaveWindowMask|ColormapChangeMask|ButtonMask;
+
+	XChangeWindowAttributes(X_Dpy, sc->rootwin,
+	    CWEventMask, &rootattr);
+
 	/* Deal with existing clients. */
 	XQueryTree(X_Dpy, sc->rootwin, &w0, &w1, &wins, &nwins);
 
@@ -190,12 +196,6 @@ x_setupscreen(struct screen_ctx *sc, u_int which)
 
 	screen_updatestackingorder(sc);
 
-	rootattr.event_mask = ChildMask|PropertyChangeMask|EnterWindowMask|
-	    LeaveWindowMask|ColormapChangeMask|ButtonMask;
-
-	XChangeWindowAttributes(X_Dpy, sc->rootwin,
-	    CWEventMask, &rootattr);
-
 	if (XineramaQueryExtension(X_Dpy, &fake, &fake) == 1 &&
 	    ((HasXinerama = XineramaIsActive(X_Dpy)) == 1))
 		HasXinerama = 1;