diff --git a/sway/input/seat.c b/sway/input/seat.c
index ebdbd91ed..d73b0288d 100644
--- a/sway/input/seat.c
+++ b/sway/input/seat.c
@@ -1201,8 +1201,10 @@ static void seat_set_workspace_focus(struct sway_seat *seat, struct sway_node *n
 
 	// emit ipc events
 	set_workspace(seat, new_workspace);
-	if (container && container->view) {
+	if (container) {
 		ipc_event_window(container, "focus");
+	} else if(last_workspace == new_workspace) {
+		ipc_event_workspace(NULL, new_workspace, "focus");
 	}
 
 	if (last_workspace && last_workspace != new_workspace) {