diff --git a/src/backends/meta-monitor.c b/src/backends/meta-monitor.c
index 63ff64b0f..bade4d166 100644
--- a/src/backends/meta-monitor.c
+++ b/src/backends/meta-monitor.c
@@ -716,6 +716,9 @@ meta_monitor_normal_get_suggested_position (MetaMonitor *monitor,
   const MetaOutputInfo *output_info =
     meta_monitor_get_main_output_info (monitor);
 
+  if (!output_info->hotplug_mode_update)
+    return FALSE;
+
   if (output_info->suggested_x < 0 && output_info->suggested_y < 0)
     return FALSE;