diff --git a/globalconf.h b/globalconf.h
index 0581c0b2e..06b9abb79 100644
--- a/globalconf.h
+++ b/globalconf.h
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@
       | XCB_EVENT_MASK_BUTTON_PRESS \
       | XCB_EVENT_MASK_BUTTON_RELEASE \
       | XCB_EVENT_MASK_FOCUS_CHANGE \
+      | XCB_EVENT_MASK_PROPERTY_CHANGE \
     }
 
 typedef struct drawin_t drawin_t;
diff --git a/luaa.c b/luaa.c
index ee2636601..2b61289e8 100644
--- a/luaa.c
+++ b/luaa.c
@@ -658,6 +658,7 @@ luaA_init(xdgHandle* xdg)
     signal_add(&global_signals, "debug::index::miss");
     signal_add(&global_signals, "debug::newindex::miss");
     signal_add(&global_signals, "systray::update");
+    signal_add(&global_signals, "wallpaper_changed");
     signal_add(&global_signals, "refresh");
     signal_add(&global_signals, "exit");
 }
diff --git a/property.c b/property.c
index d5b030f62..610174628 100644
--- a/property.c
+++ b/property.c
@@ -359,6 +359,15 @@ property_handle_net_wm_opacity(uint8_t state,
     return 0;
 }
 
+static int
+property_handle_xrootpmap_id(uint8_t state,
+                             xcb_window_t window)
+{
+    signal_object_emit(globalconf.L, &global_signals, "wallpaper_changed", 0);
+    return 0;
+}
+
+
 /** The property notify event handler.
  * \param data Unused data.
  * \param connection The connection to the X server.
@@ -404,6 +413,9 @@ property_handle_propertynotify(xcb_property_notify_event_t *ev)
     HANDLE(_NET_WM_PID, property_handle_net_wm_pid)
     HANDLE(_NET_WM_WINDOW_OPACITY, property_handle_net_wm_opacity)
 
+    /* background change */
+    HANDLE(_XROOTPMAP_ID, property_handle_xrootpmap_id)
+
     /* If nothing was found, return */
     END;