diff --git a/shell_client.cpp b/shell_client.cpp
index e834514ed3..fc3f98c737 100644
--- a/shell_client.cpp
+++ b/shell_client.cpp
@@ -730,7 +730,7 @@ void ShellClient::updateIcon()
 
 bool ShellClient::isTransient() const
 {
-    return m_shellSurface->isTransient();
+    return m_transient;
 }
 
 void ShellClient::setTransient()
@@ -746,6 +746,7 @@ void ShellClient::setTransient()
             t->addTransient(this);
         }
     }
+    m_transient = !s.isNull();
 }
 
 bool ShellClient::hasTransientPlacementHint() const
diff --git a/shell_client.h b/shell_client.h
index 5d9461cdb3..3adeaacf6d 100644
--- a/shell_client.h
+++ b/shell_client.h
@@ -151,6 +151,7 @@ private:
     QPointer<KWayland::Server::PlasmaShellSurfaceInterface> m_plasmaShellSurface;
     QPointer<KWayland::Server::QtExtendedSurfaceInterface> m_qtExtendedSurface;
     bool m_fullScreen = false;
+    bool m_transient = false;
 };
 
 }