diff --git a/plugins/platforms/x11/windowed/x11windowed_backend.cpp b/plugins/platforms/x11/windowed/x11windowed_backend.cpp
index 20c84dfad3..b3070551a7 100644
--- a/plugins/platforms/x11/windowed/x11windowed_backend.cpp
+++ b/plugins/platforms/x11/windowed/x11windowed_backend.cpp
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ void X11WindowedBackend::init()
         }
         XRenderUtils::init(m_connection, m_screen->root);
         createWindow();
-        startEventReading();
+        connect(kwinApp(), &Application::workspaceCreated, this, &X11WindowedBackend::startEventReading);
         connect(this, &X11WindowedBackend::cursorChanged, this,
             [this] {
                 createCursor(softwareCursor(), softwareCursorHotspot());