diff --git a/kitty/boss.py b/kitty/boss.py
index dceae9fe0..75e4413fc 100644
--- a/kitty/boss.py
+++ b/kitty/boss.py
@@ -12,7 +12,8 @@ from .fast_data_types import (
     GLFW_KEY_DOWN, GLFW_KEY_UP, ChildMonitor, create_os_window,
     current_os_window, destroy_global_data, destroy_sprite_map,
     get_clipboard_string, glfw_post_empty_event, layout_sprite_map,
-    mark_os_window_for_close, toggle_fullscreen, viewport_for_window
+    mark_os_window_for_close, show_window, toggle_fullscreen,
+    viewport_for_window
 )
 from .fonts.render import prerender, resize_fonts, set_font_family
 from .keys import get_key_map, get_shortcut
@@ -104,9 +105,11 @@ class Boss:
             args = option_parser().parse_args(msg['args'][1:])
             opts = create_opts(args)
             session = create_session(opts, args)
-            os_window_id = self.add_os_window(session, wclass=args.cls, wname=args.name, size=initial_window_size(opts))
+            os_window_id = self.add_os_window(session, wclass=args.cls, wname=args.name, size=initial_window_size(opts), visible=False)
             if startup_id:
                 ctx = init_startup_notification(os_window_id, startup_id)
+            show_window(os_window_id)
+            if startup_id:
                 end_startup_notification(ctx)
         else:
             safe_print('Unknown message received from peer, ignoring')
diff --git a/kitty/main.py b/kitty/main.py
index 6617bf0ba..e03dac2a0 100644
--- a/kitty/main.py
+++ b/kitty/main.py
@@ -12,11 +12,11 @@ from .borders import load_borders_program
 from .boss import Boss
 from .cli import create_opts, option_parser
 from .config import initial_window_size, load_cached_values, save_cached_values
-from .constants import is_macos, is_wayland, logo_data_file, glfw_path
+from .constants import glfw_path, is_macos, is_wayland, logo_data_file
 from .fast_data_types import (
     change_wcwidth, create_os_window, glfw_init, glfw_terminate,
     install_sigchld_handler, set_default_window_icon, set_logical_dpi,
-    set_options
+    set_options, show_window
 )
 from .fonts.box_drawing import set_scale
 from .utils import (
@@ -43,8 +43,9 @@ def run_app(opts, args):
     set_options(opts, is_wayland, args.debug_gl)
     load_cached_values()
     w, h = initial_window_size(opts)
-    window_id = create_os_window(w, h, encode_wm_class(args.name, args.cls), True, load_all_shaders)
+    window_id = create_os_window(w, h, encode_wm_class(args.name, args.cls), False, load_all_shaders)
     startup_ctx = init_startup_notification(window_id)
+    show_window(window_id)
     if not is_wayland and not is_macos:  # no window icons on wayland
         with open(logo_data_file, 'rb') as f:
             set_default_window_icon(f.read(), 256, 256)