diff --git a/openbox/focus.c b/openbox/focus.c
index d9ea43cb..98f81800 100644
--- a/openbox/focus.c
+++ b/openbox/focus.c
@@ -67,6 +67,7 @@ void focus_set_client(Client *client)
 	/* when nothing will be focused, send focus to the backup target */
 	XSetInputFocus(ob_display, focus_backup, RevertToPointerRoot,
                        event_lasttime);
+        XSync(ob_display, FALSE);
     }
 
     old = focus_client;