diff --git a/gnome/gtrans.c b/gnome/gtrans.c
index 7bea1fca4..343752e0e 100644
--- a/gnome/gtrans.c
+++ b/gnome/gtrans.c
@@ -322,6 +322,12 @@ set_window_text (GtkWidget *window, GdkImlibImage *im, char *text)
 	text_info_free (ti);
 }
 
+static void
+lower_icon_window(GtkWidget *widget, GdkEventExpose *event)
+{
+	gdk_window_lower(widget->window);
+}
+
 GtkWidget *
 create_transparent_text_window (char *file, char *text, int extra_events)
 {
@@ -355,6 +361,10 @@ create_transparent_text_window (char *file, char *text, int extra_events)
 	gdk_window_set_cursor (window->window, cursor);
 	gdk_cursor_destroy (cursor);
 
+	/* We do this so the desktop icons appear to really be part of the
+	   desktop */
+	gtk_signal_connect(window, "expose_event", GTK_SIGNAL_FUNC(lower_icon_window), NULL);
+
 	return window;
 }