diff --git a/activation.cpp b/activation.cpp
index a3c050cd5f..8646f4886e 100644
--- a/activation.cpp
+++ b/activation.cpp
@@ -458,7 +458,7 @@ bool Workspace::activateNextClient(Client* c)
     Client* get_focus = NULL;
 
     // precedence on keeping the current tabgroup active. to the user that's the same window
-    if (c && c->tabGroup()) {
+    if (c && c->tabGroup() && c->isShown(false)) {
         if (c == c->tabGroup()->current())
             c->tabGroup()->activateNext();
         get_focus = c->tabGroup()->current();