diff --git a/src/wayland/autotests/client/test_datadevice.cpp b/src/wayland/autotests/client/test_datadevice.cpp
index 0fef6f96f9..12767ce8bc 100644
--- a/src/wayland/autotests/client/test_datadevice.cpp
+++ b/src/wayland/autotests/client/test_datadevice.cpp
@@ -194,11 +194,16 @@ void TestDataDevice::testCreate()
     QVERIFY(!deviceInterface->selection());
     QVERIFY(deviceInterface->parentResource());
 
+    QVERIFY(!m_seatInterface->selection());
+    m_seatInterface->setSelection(deviceInterface);
+    QCOMPARE(m_seatInterface->selection(), deviceInterface);
+
     // and destroy
     QSignalSpy destroyedSpy(deviceInterface, &QObject::destroyed);
     QVERIFY(destroyedSpy.isValid());
     dataDevice.reset();
     QVERIFY(destroyedSpy.wait());
+    QVERIFY(!m_seatInterface->selection());
 }
 
 void TestDataDevice::testDrag()
diff --git a/src/wayland/autotests/client/test_wayland_seat.cpp b/src/wayland/autotests/client/test_wayland_seat.cpp
index c8d50fed5d..e510be9e5d 100644
--- a/src/wayland/autotests/client/test_wayland_seat.cpp
+++ b/src/wayland/autotests/client/test_wayland_seat.cpp
@@ -1306,6 +1306,7 @@ void TestWaylandSeat::testSelection()
     QVERIFY(surface->isValid());
     QVERIFY(surfaceCreatedSpy.wait());
     auto serverSurface = surfaceCreatedSpy.first().first().value<SurfaceInterface*>();
+    QVERIFY(!m_seatInterface->selection());
     m_seatInterface->setFocusedKeyboardSurface(serverSurface);
     QCOMPARE(m_seatInterface->focusedKeyboardSurface(), serverSurface);
     QVERIFY(!m_seatInterface->focusedKeyboard());
@@ -1314,6 +1315,7 @@ void TestWaylandSeat::testSelection()
     QCoreApplication::processEvents();
     QVERIFY(selectionSpy.isEmpty());
     QVERIFY(selectionClearedSpy.isEmpty());
+    QVERIFY(!m_seatInterface->selection());
 
     // now let's try to set a selection - we have keyboard focus, so it should be sent to us
     QScopedPointer<DataSource> ds(ddm->createDataSource());
@@ -1322,6 +1324,8 @@ void TestWaylandSeat::testSelection()
     dd1->setSelection(0, ds.data());
     QVERIFY(selectionSpy.wait());
     QCOMPARE(selectionSpy.count(), 1);
+    auto ddi = m_seatInterface->selection();
+    QVERIFY(ddi);
     QVERIFY(selectionClearedSpy.isEmpty());
     auto df = selectionSpy.first().first().value<DataOffer*>();
     QCOMPARE(df->offeredMimeTypes().count(), 1);
@@ -1347,6 +1351,21 @@ void TestWaylandSeat::testSelection()
     QCoreApplication::processEvents();
     QCoreApplication::processEvents();
     QCOMPARE(selectionSpy.count(), 1);
+
+    // let's unset the selection on the seat
+    m_seatInterface->setSelection(nullptr);
+    // and pass focus back on our surface
+    m_seatInterface->setFocusedKeyboardSurface(serverSurface);
+    // we don't have a selection, so it should not send a selection
+    QVERIFY(!selectionSpy.wait(100));
+    // now let's set it manually
+    m_seatInterface->setSelection(ddi);
+    QCOMPARE(m_seatInterface->selection(), ddi);
+    QVERIFY(selectionSpy.wait());
+    QCOMPARE(selectionSpy.count(), 2);
+    // now clear it manully
+    m_seatInterface->setSelection(nullptr);
+    QVERIFY(selectionClearedSpy.wait());
 }
 
 void TestWaylandSeat::testTouch()
diff --git a/src/wayland/seat_interface.cpp b/src/wayland/seat_interface.cpp
index 30cf8841fc..ca0c53ea53 100644
--- a/src/wayland/seat_interface.cpp
+++ b/src/wayland/seat_interface.cpp
@@ -1239,5 +1239,27 @@ TextInputInterface *SeatInterface::focusedTextInput() const
     return d->textInput.focus.textInput;
 }
 
+DataDeviceInterface *SeatInterface::selection() const
+{
+    Q_D();
+    return d->currentSelection;
+}
+
+void SeatInterface::setSelection(DataDeviceInterface *dataDevice)
+{
+    Q_D();
+    if (d->currentSelection == dataDevice) {
+        return;
+    }
+    d->currentSelection = dataDevice;
+    if (d->keys.focus.selection) {
+        if (dataDevice) {
+            d->keys.focus.selection->sendSelection(dataDevice);
+        } else {
+            d->keys.focus.selection->sendClearSelection();
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 }
 }
diff --git a/src/wayland/seat_interface.h b/src/wayland/seat_interface.h
index 09d4e2b2b8..b5808f4d69 100644
--- a/src/wayland/seat_interface.h
+++ b/src/wayland/seat_interface.h
@@ -490,6 +490,26 @@ public:
     TextInputInterface *focusedTextInput() const;
     ///@}
 
+    /**
+     * @returns The DataDeviceInterface holding the current clipboard selection.
+     * @since 5.24
+     * @see setSelection
+     **/
+    DataDeviceInterface *selection() const;
+    /**
+     * This method allows to manually set the @p dataDevice for the current clipboard selection.
+     * The clipboard selection is handled automatically in SeatInterface.
+     * If a DataDeviceInterface belonging to the current focused KeyboardInterface
+     * sets a selection, the current clipboard selection will be updated automatically.
+     * With this method it's possible to override the automatic clipboard update for
+     * e.g. the case of a clipboard manager.
+     *
+     * @param dataDevice Sets the current clipboard selection.
+     * @see selection
+     * @since 5.24
+     **/
+    void setSelection(DataDeviceInterface *dataDevice);
+
     static SeatInterface *get(wl_resource *native);
 
 Q_SIGNALS: