diff --git a/activation.cpp b/activation.cpp
index 37f0070414..d5159bb967 100644
--- a/activation.cpp
+++ b/activation.cpp
@@ -408,6 +408,25 @@ static inline bool isUsableFocusCandidate(Client *c, Client *prev, bool respectS
            (!respectScreen || c->isOnScreen(prev ? prev->screen() : Workspace::self()->activeScreen()));
 }
 
+Client *Workspace::clientUnderMouse(int screen) const
+{
+    QList<Client*>::const_iterator it = stackingOrder().constEnd();
+    while (it != stackingOrder().constBegin()) {
+        Client *client = *(--it);
+
+        // rule out clients which are not really visible.
+        // the screen test is rather superflous for xrandr & twinview since the geometry would differ -> TODO: might be dropped
+        if (!(client->isShown(false) && client->isOnCurrentDesktop() &&
+                client->isOnCurrentActivity() && client->isOnScreen(screen)))
+            continue;
+
+        if (client->geometry().contains(QCursor::pos())) {
+            return client;
+        }
+    }
+    return 0;
+}
+
 // deactivates 'c' and activates next client
 bool Workspace::activateNextClient(Client* c)
 {
@@ -436,22 +455,10 @@ bool Workspace::activateNextClient(Client* c)
     Client* get_focus = NULL;
 
     if (options->nextFocusPrefersMouse) {
-        QList<Client*>::const_iterator it = stackingOrder().constEnd();
-        while (it != stackingOrder().constBegin()) {
-            Client *client = *(--it);
-
-            // rule out clients which are not really visible.
-            // the screen test is rather superflous for xrandr & twinview since the geometry would differ -> TODO: might be dropped
-            if (!(client->isShown(false) && client->isOnCurrentDesktop() &&
-                  client->isOnCurrentActivity() && client->isOnScreen(c ? c->screen() : activeScreen())))
-                continue;
-
-            if (client->geometry().contains(QCursor::pos())) {
-                if (client != c && !client->isDesktop()) // should rather not happen, but it cannot get the focus. rest of usability is tested above
-                    get_focus = client;
-                break; // unconditional break  - we do not pass the focus to some client below an unusable one
-            }
-
+        get_focus = clientUnderMouse(c ? c->screen() : activeScreen());
+        if (get_focus && (get_focus == c || get_focus->isDesktop())) {
+            // should rather not happen, but it cannot get the focus. rest of usability is tested above
+            get_focus = 0;
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/useractions.cpp b/useractions.cpp
index b310a3929f..6eec1b15a1 100644
--- a/useractions.cpp
+++ b/useractions.cpp
@@ -816,13 +816,17 @@ bool Client::performMouseCommand(Options::MouseCommand command, const QPoint &gl
     case Options::MouseRaise:
         workspace()->raiseClient(this);
         break;
-    case Options::MouseLower:
+    case Options::MouseLower: {
         workspace()->lowerClient(this);
-        // As this most likely makes the window no longer visible change the
-        // keyboard focus to the next available window.
-        //workspace()->activateNextClient( this ); // Doesn't work when we lower a child window
-        workspace()->activateClient(workspace()->topClientOnDesktop(workspace()->currentDesktop(), -1));
+        // used to be activateNextClient(this), then topClientOnDesktop
+        // since this is a mouseOp it's however safe to use the client under the mouse instead
+        if (isActive()) {
+            Client *next = workspace()->clientUnderMouse(screen());
+            if (next && next != this)
+                workspace()->requestFocus(next, false);
+        }
         break;
+    }
     case Options::MouseShade :
         toggleShade();
         cancelShadeHoverTimer();
@@ -1238,13 +1242,13 @@ void Workspace::slotWindowRaise()
  */
 void Workspace::slotWindowLower()
 {
-    Client* c = active_popup_client ? active_popup_client : active_client;
-    if (c) {
+    if ((Client* c = active_popup_client ? active_popup_client : active_client)) {
         lowerClient(c);
         // As this most likely makes the window no longer visible change the
         // keyboard focus to the next available window.
         //activateNextClient( c ); // Doesn't work when we lower a child window
-        activateClient(topClientOnDesktop(currentDesktop(), -1));
+        if (c->isActive())
+            activateClient(topClientOnDesktop(currentDesktop(), -1));
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/workspace.h b/workspace.h
index 092b6a72ff..d5942dca38 100644
--- a/workspace.h
+++ b/workspace.h
@@ -144,6 +144,8 @@ public:
      */
     Client* mostRecentlyActivatedClient() const;
 
+    Client* clientUnderMouse(int screen) const;
+
     void activateClient(Client*, bool force = false);
     void requestFocus(Client* c, bool force = false);
     void takeActivity(Client* c, int flags, bool handled);   // Flags are ActivityFlags