diff --git a/hw/xwin/winmultiwindowwm.c b/hw/xwin/winmultiwindowwm.c
index 010b8f3066..f507785b7d 100644
--- a/hw/xwin/winmultiwindowwm.c
+++ b/hw/xwin/winmultiwindowwm.c
@@ -918,7 +918,7 @@ winMultiWindowWMProc(void *pArg)
               }
 
               if (!neverFocus)
-                xcb_set_input_focus(pWMInfo->conn, XCB_INPUT_FOCUS_POINTER_ROOT,
+                xcb_set_input_focus(pWMInfo->conn, XCB_INPUT_FOCUS_PARENT,
                                     pNode->msg.iWindow, XCB_CURRENT_TIME);
 
               if (IsWmProtocolAvailable(pWMInfo,