diff --git a/awesomerc.lua.in b/awesomerc.lua.in
index 6217ca05..d512863d 100644
--- a/awesomerc.lua.in
+++ b/awesomerc.lua.in
@@ -181,6 +181,9 @@ end
 
 -- Hook function to execute when a new client appears.
 function hook_newclient(c)
+    -- New client may not receive focus
+    -- if they're not focusable, so set border anyway.
+    c:border_set({ width = 1, color = "black" })
     c:focus_set()
     local name = c:name_get()
     if name:lower():find("mplayer") then