diff --git a/js/ui/lookingGlass.js b/js/ui/lookingGlass.js
index 9f692f4aa..0317973e8 100644
--- a/js/ui/lookingGlass.js
+++ b/js/ui/lookingGlass.js
@@ -304,6 +304,9 @@ var WindowList = class WindowList {
     }
 
     _updateWindowList() {
+        if (!this._lookingGlass.isOpen)
+            return;
+
         this.actor.destroy_all_children();
         let windows = global.get_window_actors();
         let tracker = Shell.WindowTracker.get_default();
@@ -335,6 +338,10 @@ var WindowList = class WindowList {
             }
         }
     }
+
+    update() {
+        this._updateWindowList();
+    }
 };
 Signals.addSignalMethods(WindowList.prototype);
 
@@ -1099,6 +1106,8 @@ var LookingGlass = class LookingGlass {
             duration,
             mode: Clutter.AnimationMode.EASE_OUT_QUAD
         });
+
+        this._windowList.update();
     }
 
     close() {
@@ -1124,5 +1133,9 @@ var LookingGlass = class LookingGlass {
             onComplete: () => this.actor.hide()
         });
     }
+
+    get isOpen() {
+        return this._open;
+    }
 };
 Signals.addSignalMethods(LookingGlass.prototype);