diff --git a/composite.cpp b/composite.cpp
index 09220e500e..6104455f5f 100644
--- a/composite.cpp
+++ b/composite.cpp
@@ -205,8 +205,7 @@ void Workspace::setupCompositing()
         scene->windowAdded( c );
     foreach( Unmanaged* c, unmanaged )
         scene->windowAdded( c );
-    delete popup; // force re-creation of the Alt+F3 popup (opacity option)
-    popup = NULL;
+    discardPopup(); // force re-creation of the Alt+F3 popup (opacity option)
 #else
     kDebug( 1212 ) << "Compositing was not available at compile time";
 #endif
@@ -251,8 +250,7 @@ void Workspace::finishCompositing()
             i.setOpacity( static_cast< unsigned long >((*it)->opacity() * 0xffffffff ));
             }
         }
-    delete popup; // force re-creation of the Alt+F3 popup (opacity option)
-    popup = NULL;
+    discardPopup(); // force re-creation of the Alt+F3 popup (opacity option)
     // discard all Deleted windows (#152914)
     while( !deleted.isEmpty())
         deleted.first()->discard( Allowed );
diff --git a/useractions.cpp b/useractions.cpp
index 9a87e822c2..b3048c5cca 100644
--- a/useractions.cpp
+++ b/useractions.cpp
@@ -191,6 +191,13 @@ QMenu* Workspace::clientPopup()
     return popup;
     }
 
+void Workspace::discardPopup()
+    {
+    delete popup;
+    popup = NULL; 
+    desk_popup = NULL;
+    }
+
 void Workspace::setPopupClientOpacity( QAction* action )
     {
     if( active_popup_client == NULL )
@@ -359,10 +366,7 @@ void Workspace::readShortcuts()
     kaction = qobject_cast<KAction*>( keys->action("Walk Through Windows (Reverse)") );
     if ( kaction!=0 )
         cutWalkThroughWindowsReverse = kaction->globalShortcut();
-
-    delete popup;
-    popup = NULL; // so that it's recreated next time
-    desk_popup = NULL;
+    discardPopup(); // so that it's recreated next time
     }
 
 
diff --git a/workspace.cpp b/workspace.cpp
index 7e1c2ee061..a71f92a901 100644
--- a/workspace.cpp
+++ b/workspace.cpp
@@ -459,7 +459,7 @@ Workspace::~Workspace()
         (*it)->release();
     delete tab_box;
     delete popupinfo;
-    delete popup;
+    discardPopup();
     XDeleteProperty(display(), rootWindow(), atoms->kwin_running);
 
     writeWindowRules();
diff --git a/workspace.h b/workspace.h
index c289677c6f..3ec36cb795 100644
--- a/workspace.h
+++ b/workspace.h
@@ -496,6 +496,7 @@ class Workspace : public QObject, public KDecorationDefines
         void initShortcuts();
         void readShortcuts();
         void initDesktopPopup();
+        void discardPopup();
         void setupWindowShortcut( Client* c );
         void checkCursorPos();