diff --git a/.xinitrc b/.xinitrc
index 60ee7112..bdb05a0f 100755
--- a/.xinitrc
+++ b/.xinitrc
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ die() {
 
 # Set up our session target
 export FS_DIEONWM=1
-unset XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP
+export XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP=MATE
 if [ -x "$HOME/.firestarter/firestarter" ]; then
 	export STARTUP="$HOME/.firestarter/firestarter"
 elif [ -x "$HOME/Projects/firestarter/firestarter" ]; then