diff --git a/js/ui/mpris.js b/js/ui/mpris.js
index f44f87e92..93d1ec68b 100644
--- a/js/ui/mpris.js
+++ b/js/ui/mpris.js
@@ -120,6 +120,10 @@ var MprisPlayer = class MprisPlayer extends Signals.EventEmitter {
         return this._trackCoverUrl;
     }
 
+    get app() {
+        return this._app;
+    }
+
     playPause() {
         this._playerProxy.PlayPauseAsync().catch(logError);
     }
@@ -143,14 +147,8 @@ var MprisPlayer = class MprisPlayer extends Signals.EventEmitter {
     raise() {
         // The remote Raise() method may run into focus stealing prevention,
         // so prefer activating the app via .desktop file if possible
-        let app = null;
-        if (this._mprisProxy.DesktopEntry) {
-            let desktopId = `${this._mprisProxy.DesktopEntry}.desktop`;
-            app = Shell.AppSystem.get_default().lookup_app(desktopId);
-        }
-
-        if (app)
-            app.activate();
+        if (this._app)
+            this._app.activate();
         else if (this._mprisProxy.CanRaise)
             this._mprisProxy.RaiseAsync().catch(logError);
     }
@@ -222,6 +220,13 @@ var MprisPlayer = class MprisPlayer extends Signals.EventEmitter {
             this._trackCoverUrl = '';
         }
 
+        if (this._mprisProxy.DesktopEntry) {
+            const desktopId = `${this._mprisProxy.DesktopEntry}.desktop`;
+            this._app = Shell.AppSystem.get_default().lookup_app(desktopId);
+        } else {
+            this._app = null;
+        }
+
         this.emit('changed');
 
         let visible = this._playerProxy.CanPlay;