diff --git a/js/ui/panel.js b/js/ui/panel.js
index 8f0919042..eb9354768 100644
--- a/js/ui/panel.js
+++ b/js/ui/panel.js
@@ -317,11 +317,12 @@ const AppMenuButton = new Lang.Class({
 
         this._visible = true;
         this.actor.show();
-        this.actor.reactive = true;
 
         if (!this._targetIsCurrent)
             return;
 
+        this.actor.reactive = true;
+
         Tweener.removeTweens(this.actor);
         Tweener.addTween(this.actor,
                          { opacity: 255,