diff --git a/lib/awful/rules.lua b/lib/awful/rules.lua
index 31ca6d04..29d7e4bf 100644
--- a/lib/awful/rules.lua
+++ b/lib/awful/rules.lua
@@ -735,7 +735,7 @@ function rules.execute(c, props, callbacks)
 
     -- Do this at last so we do not erase things done by the focus signal.
     if props.focus and (type(props.focus) ~= "function" or props.focus(c)) then
-        c:emit_signal('request::activate', "rules", {raise=true})
+        c:emit_signal('request::activate', "rules", {raise=not awesome.startup})
     end
 end