diff --git a/kitty/boss.py b/kitty/boss.py
index b92142700..6ead05297 100644
--- a/kitty/boss.py
+++ b/kitty/boss.py
@@ -25,8 +25,8 @@ from .fast_data_types import (
     change_os_window_state, create_os_window, current_os_window,
     destroy_global_data, focus_os_window, get_clipboard_string,
     global_font_size, mark_os_window_for_close, os_window_font_size,
-    patch_global_colors, safe_pipe, set_clipboard_string, set_in_sequence_mode,
-    thread_write, toggle_fullscreen, toggle_maximized
+    patch_global_colors, safe_pipe, set_background_image, set_clipboard_string,
+    set_in_sequence_mode, thread_write, toggle_fullscreen, toggle_maximized
 )
 from .keys import get_shortcut, shortcut_matches
 from .layout import set_layout_options
@@ -1294,3 +1294,11 @@ class Boss:
                 r'--regex=(?m)^:\s+.+$',
             ), input_data='\r\n'.join(lines).encode('utf-8'), custom_callback=done, action_on_removal=done2
         )
+
+    def set_background_image(self, path, os_windows, configured, layout):
+        if layout:
+            set_background_image(path, os_windows, configured, layout)
+        else:
+            set_background_image(path, os_windows, configured)
+        for os_window_id in os_windows:
+            self.default_bg_changed_for(os_window_id)
diff --git a/kitty/cmds.py b/kitty/cmds.py
index 3d52e4a21..34d4bae0e 100644
--- a/kitty/cmds.py
+++ b/kitty/cmds.py
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ from .cli import (
 )
 from .config import parse_config, parse_send_text_bytes
 from .constants import appname
-from .fast_data_types import focus_os_window, set_background_image as set_background_image_impl
+from .fast_data_types import focus_os_window
 from .launch import (
     launch as do_launch, options_spec as launch_options_spec,
     parse_launch_args
@@ -1348,10 +1348,7 @@ def set_background_image(boss, window, payload):
         f.flush()
 
     try:
-        if layout:
-            set_background_image_impl(path, os_windows, pg(payload, 'configured'), layout)
-        else:
-            set_background_image_impl(path, os_windows, pg(payload, 'configured'))
+        boss.set_background_image(path, os_windows, pg(payload, 'configured'), layout)
     except ValueError as err:
         err.hide_traceback = True
         raise