diff --git a/effects.cpp b/effects.cpp
index b07004ad3d..11781d6751 100644
--- a/effects.cpp
+++ b/effects.cpp
@@ -555,9 +555,9 @@ void EffectsHandlerImpl::slotClientAdded(Client *c)
 }
 
 void EffectsHandlerImpl::slotUnmanagedAdded(Unmanaged *u)
-{   // regardless, unmanaged windows are -yet?- not synced anyway
-    setupUnmanagedConnections(u);
-    emit windowAdded(u->effectWindow());
+{
+    // it's never initially ready but has synthetic 50ms delay
+    connect(u, SIGNAL(windowShown(KWin::Toplevel*)), SLOT(slotUnmanagedShown(KWin::Toplevel*)));
 }
 
 void EffectsHandlerImpl::slotClientShown(KWin::Toplevel *t)
@@ -569,6 +569,14 @@ void EffectsHandlerImpl::slotClientShown(KWin::Toplevel *t)
         emit windowAdded(c->effectWindow());
 }
 
+void EffectsHandlerImpl::slotUnmanagedShown(KWin::Toplevel *t)
+{   // regardless, unmanaged windows are -yet?- not synced anyway
+    Q_ASSERT(dynamic_cast<Unmanaged*>(t));
+    Unmanaged *u = static_cast<Unmanaged*>(t);
+    setupUnmanagedConnections(u);
+    emit windowAdded(u->effectWindow());
+}
+
 void EffectsHandlerImpl::slotDeletedRemoved(KWin::Deleted *d)
 {
     emit windowDeleted(d->effectWindow());
diff --git a/effects.h b/effects.h
index 17dc4d9002..b641bfbe7d 100644
--- a/effects.h
+++ b/effects.h
@@ -217,6 +217,7 @@ protected Q_SLOTS:
     void slotClientAdded(KWin::Client *c);
     void slotClientShown(KWin::Toplevel*);
     void slotUnmanagedAdded(KWin::Unmanaged *u);
+    void slotUnmanagedShown(KWin::Toplevel*);
     void slotWindowClosed(KWin::Toplevel *c);
     void slotClientActivated(KWin::Client *c);
     void slotDeletedRemoved(KWin::Deleted *d);
diff --git a/toplevel.h b/toplevel.h
index 3ad7563d4f..83b1512c0c 100644
--- a/toplevel.h
+++ b/toplevel.h
@@ -342,6 +342,7 @@ protected Q_SLOTS:
     void checkScreen();
     void setupCheckScreenConnection();
     void removeCheckScreenConnection();
+    void setReadyForPainting();
 
 protected:
     virtual ~Toplevel();
@@ -353,7 +354,6 @@ protected:
     void addDamageFull();
     void getWmClientLeader();
     void getWmClientMachine();
-    void setReadyForPainting();
     /**
      * @returns Whether there is a compositor and it is active.
      **/
diff --git a/unmanaged.cpp b/unmanaged.cpp
index f782180a87..4583ce076f 100644
--- a/unmanaged.cpp
+++ b/unmanaged.cpp
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 #include "deleted.h"
 #include "xcbutils.h"
 
+#include <QTimer>
 #include <QDebug>
 
 #include <X11/extensions/shape.h>
@@ -35,7 +36,9 @@ namespace KWin
 Unmanaged::Unmanaged()
     : Toplevel()
 {
+    ready_for_painting = false;
     connect(this, SIGNAL(geometryShapeChanged(KWin::Toplevel*,QRect)), SIGNAL(geometryChanged()));
+    QTimer::singleShot(50, this, SLOT(setReadyForPainting()));
 }
 
 Unmanaged::~Unmanaged()