diff --git a/lib/wibox/drawable.lua.in b/lib/wibox/drawable.lua.in
index a31e618f3..3f73c73d9 100644
--- a/lib/wibox/drawable.lua.in
+++ b/lib/wibox/drawable.lua.in
@@ -28,15 +28,20 @@ local function do_redraw(self)
 
     -- Draw the background
     cr:save()
-    -- This is pseudo-transparency: We draw the wallpaper in the background
-    local wallpaper = surface(capi.root.wallpaper())
-    if wallpaper then
+
+    if not capi.awesome.composite_manager_running then
+        -- This is pseudo-transparency: We draw the wallpaper in the background
+        local wallpaper = surface(capi.root.wallpaper())
+        if wallpaper then
+            cr.operator = cairo.Operator.SOURCE
+            cr:set_source_surface(wallpaper, -x, -y)
+            cr:paint()
+        end
+        cr.operator = cairo.Operator.OVER
+    else
         cr.operator = cairo.Operator.SOURCE
-        cr:set_source_surface(wallpaper, -x, -y)
-        cr:paint()
     end
 
-    cr.operator = cairo.Operator.OVER
     cr:set_source(self.background_color)
     cr:paint()
     cr:restore()