diff --git a/src/modules/x11/module-x11-bell.c b/src/modules/x11/module-x11-bell.c
index 6c9f580f5..7b2be57bf 100644
--- a/src/modules/x11/module-x11-bell.c
+++ b/src/modules/x11/module-x11-bell.c
@@ -76,7 +76,10 @@ static int x11_event_cb(pa_x11_wrapper *w, XEvent *e, void *userdata) {
 
     bne = (XkbBellNotifyEvent*) e;
 
-    if (pa_scache_play_item_by_name(u->core, u->scache_item, u->sink_name, ((pa_volume_t) bne->percent*PA_VOLUME_NORM)/100U, NULL, NULL) < 0) {
+    /* We could use bne->percent to set the volume, but then the "event" role
+     * volume wouldn't have effect. It's better to ignore the volume suggestion
+     * from X11. */
+    if (pa_scache_play_item_by_name(u->core, u->scache_item, u->sink_name, PA_VOLUME_INVALID, NULL, NULL) < 0) {
         pa_log_info("Ringing bell failed, reverting to X11 device bell.");
         XkbForceDeviceBell(pa_x11_wrapper_get_display(w), bne->device, bne->bell_class, bne->bell_id, bne->percent);
     }