diff --git a/effects/cube/cube.cpp b/effects/cube/cube.cpp
index e173a50dd6..c1ceb5218c 100644
--- a/effects/cube/cube.cpp
+++ b/effects/cube/cube.cpp
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ KWIN_EFFECT_SUPPORTED( cube, CubeEffect::supported() )
 
 CubeEffect::CubeEffect()
     : activated( false )
+    , mousePolling( false )
     , cube_painting( false )
     , keyboard_grab( false )
     , schedule_close( false )
@@ -1615,7 +1616,11 @@ void CubeEffect::setActive( bool active )
     {
     if( active )
         {
-        effects->startMousePolling();
+        if( !mousePolling )
+            {
+            effects->startMousePolling();
+            mousePolling = true;
+            }
         activated = true;
         activeScreen = effects->activeScreen();
         keyboard_grab = effects->grabKeyboard( this );
@@ -1662,7 +1667,11 @@ void CubeEffect::setActive( bool active )
         }
     else
         {
-        effects->stopMousePolling();
+        if( mousePolling )
+            {
+            effects->stopMousePolling();
+            mousePolling = false;
+            }
         schedule_close = true;
         // we have to add a repaint, to start the deactivating
         effects->addRepaintFull();
diff --git a/effects/cube/cube.h b/effects/cube/cube.h
index bf98cd73f4..1f4a62c2ca 100644
--- a/effects/cube/cube.h
+++ b/effects/cube/cube.h
@@ -77,6 +77,7 @@ class CubeEffect
         void rotateToDesktop( int desktop );
         void setActive( bool active );
         bool activated;
+        bool mousePolling;
         bool cube_painting;
         bool keyboard_grab;
         bool schedule_close;