diff --git a/alternative_wmiircs/python/wmiirc.py b/alternative_wmiircs/python/wmiirc.py
index 9e678c34..bf9ab029 100644
--- a/alternative_wmiircs/python/wmiirc.py
+++ b/alternative_wmiircs/python/wmiirc.py
@@ -306,6 +306,6 @@ if not os.environ.get('WMII_NOPLUGINS', ''):
         except Exception, e:
             traceback.print_exc(sys.stdout)
 
-call(*tray)
+call(*tray, background=True)
 
 # vim:se sts=4 sw=4 et: