diff --git a/src/compositor/meta-window-drag.c b/src/compositor/meta-window-drag.c
index 4d195437b..99b26e671 100644
--- a/src/compositor/meta-window-drag.c
+++ b/src/compositor/meta-window-drag.c
@@ -1843,6 +1843,7 @@ meta_window_drag_begin (MetaWindowDrag       *window_drag,
   stage = meta_backend_get_stage (backend);
 
   window_drag->handler = clutter_actor_new ();
+  clutter_actor_hide (window_drag->handler);
   clutter_actor_set_name (window_drag->handler,
                           "Window drag helper");
   clutter_actor_set_accessible_name (window_drag->handler,