diff --git a/workspace.cpp b/workspace.cpp
index 45cf15e626..8cd0d6055c 100644
--- a/workspace.cpp
+++ b/workspace.cpp
@@ -1198,6 +1198,7 @@ void Workspace::focusToNull()
 
 void Workspace::setShowingDesktop(bool showing)
 {
+    const bool changed = showing != showing_desktop;
     rootInfo()->setShowingDesktop(showing);
     showing_desktop = showing;
     if (Client* desk = findDesktop(true, VirtualDesktopManager::self()->current())) {
@@ -1206,6 +1207,8 @@ void Workspace::setShowingDesktop(bool showing)
         if (showing_desktop)
             requestFocus(desk);
     }
+    if (changed)
+        emit showingDesktopChanged(showing);
 }
 
 void Workspace::disableGlobalShortcutsForClient(bool disable)
diff --git a/workspace.h b/workspace.h
index 999a1c24f2..4acefb4fc8 100644
--- a/workspace.h
+++ b/workspace.h
@@ -452,6 +452,7 @@ Q_SIGNALS:
     void propertyNotify(long a);
     void configChanged();
     void reinitializeCompositing();
+    void showingDesktopChanged(bool showing);
     /**
      * This signels is emitted when ever the stacking order is change, ie. a window is risen
      * or lowered