diff --git a/src/client/application/application-client.vala b/src/client/application/application-client.vala
index e6ba8533..3da32b2d 100644
--- a/src/client/application/application-client.vala
+++ b/src/client/application/application-client.vala
@@ -210,10 +210,7 @@ public class Application.Client : Gtk.Application {
      */
     public bool is_background_service {
         get {
-            return (
-                (this.flags & ApplicationFlags.IS_SERVICE) != 0 ||
-                this.start_hidden
-            );
+            return this.config.startup_notifications;
         }
     }