diff --git a/client.h b/client.h
--- a/client.h
+++ b/client.h
@@ -157,6 +157,7 @@
         return fullscreen_mode;    // only for session saving
     }
 
+    bool userNoBorder() const;
     bool noBorder() const override;
     void setNoBorder(bool set) override;
     bool userCanSetNoBorder() const override;
diff --git a/client.cpp b/client.cpp
--- a/client.cpp
+++ b/client.cpp
@@ -562,9 +562,14 @@
     updateInputWindow();
 }
 
+bool Client::userNoBorder() const
+{
+    return noborder;
+}
+
 bool Client::noBorder() const
 {
-    return noborder || isFullScreen();
+    return userNoBorder() || isFullScreen();
 }
 
 bool Client::userCanSetNoBorder() const
diff --git a/sm.cpp b/sm.cpp
--- a/sm.cpp
+++ b/sm.cpp
@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@
     cg.writeEntry(QLatin1String("skipPager") + n, c->skipPager());
     cg.writeEntry(QLatin1String("skipSwitcher") + n, c->skipSwitcher());
     // not really just set by user, but name kept for back. comp. reasons
-    cg.writeEntry(QLatin1String("userNoBorder") + n, c->noBorder());
+    cg.writeEntry(QLatin1String("userNoBorder") + n, c->userNoBorder());
     cg.writeEntry(QLatin1String("windowType") + n, windowTypeToTxt(c->windowType()));
     cg.writeEntry(QLatin1String("shortcut") + n, c->shortcut().toString());
     cg.writeEntry(QLatin1String("stackingOrder") + n, unconstrained_stacking_order.indexOf(c));