diff --git a/src/backends/meta-idle-monitor.c b/src/backends/meta-idle-monitor.c
index e5124abc1..9fa481742 100644
--- a/src/backends/meta-idle-monitor.c
+++ b/src/backends/meta-idle-monitor.c
@@ -324,9 +324,10 @@ idle_monitor_dispatch_timeout (GSource     *source,
   if (ready_time > now)
     return G_SOURCE_CONTINUE;
 
-  meta_idle_monitor_watch_fire (watch);
   g_source_set_ready_time (watch->timeout_source, -1);
 
+  meta_idle_monitor_watch_fire (watch);
+
   return G_SOURCE_CONTINUE;
 }