diff --git a/composite.cpp b/composite.cpp
index c410052131..8433428d81 100644
--- a/composite.cpp
+++ b/composite.cpp
@@ -228,6 +228,7 @@ void Workspace::setupOverlay( Window w )
     assert( overlay != None );
     XShapeCombineRectangles( display(), overlay, ShapeInput, 0, 0, NULL, 0, ShapeSet, Unsorted );
     XShapeCombineRectangles( display(), w, ShapeInput, 0, 0, NULL, 0, ShapeSet, Unsorted );
+    XMapWindow( display(), w );
     XMapRaised( display(), overlay );
     }