diff --git a/js/ui/locatePointer.js b/js/ui/locatePointer.js
index 10caa656d..6ae29419a 100644
--- a/js/ui/locatePointer.js
+++ b/js/ui/locatePointer.js
@@ -11,12 +11,26 @@ const LOCATE_POINTER_SCHEMA = "org.gnome.desktop.interface";
 var LocatePointer = class {
     constructor() {
         this._settings = new Gio.Settings({ schema_id: LOCATE_POINTER_SCHEMA });
-        this._ripples = new Ripples.Ripples(0.5, 0.5, 'ripple-pointer-location');
-        this._ripples.addTo(Main.uiGroup);
+        this._settings.connect(`changed::${LOCATE_POINTER_KEY}`, () => this._syncEnabled());
+        this._syncEnabled();
+    }
+
+    _syncEnabled() {
+        let enabled = this._settings.get_boolean(LOCATE_POINTER_KEY);
+        if (enabled == !!this._ripples)
+            return;
+
+        if (enabled) {
+            this._ripples = new Ripples.Ripples(0.5, 0.5, 'ripple-pointer-location');
+            this._ripples.addTo(Main.uiGroup);
+        } else {
+            this._ripples.destroy();
+            this._ripples = null;
+        }
     }
 
     show() {
-        if (!this._settings.get_boolean(LOCATE_POINTER_KEY))
+        if (!this._ripples)
             return;
 
         let [x, y] = global.get_pointer();