diff --git a/autotests/wayland/plasmawindow_test.cpp b/autotests/wayland/plasmawindow_test.cpp
--- a/autotests/wayland/plasmawindow_test.cpp
+++ b/autotests/wayland/plasmawindow_test.cpp
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@
 #include <KWayland/Client/shell.h>
 #include <KWayland/Client/shm_pool.h>
 #include <KWayland/Client/surface.h>
+#include <KWayland/Server/seat_interface.h>
 //screenlocker
 #include <KScreenLocker/KsldApp>
 
@@ -211,6 +212,15 @@
     QCOMPARE(client->window(), w);
     QVERIFY(client->isDecorated());
     QVERIFY(client->isActive());
+    // verify that it gets the keyboard focus
+    QVERIFY(!client->surface());
+    // we don't have a surface yet, so focused keyboard surface if set is not ours
+    QVERIFY(!waylandServer()->seat()->focusedKeyboardSurface());
+    QSignalSpy surfaceChangedSpy(client, &Toplevel::surfaceChanged);
+    QVERIFY(surfaceChangedSpy.isValid());
+    QVERIFY(surfaceChangedSpy.wait());
+    QVERIFY(client->surface());
+    QCOMPARE(waylandServer()->seat()->focusedKeyboardSurface(), client->surface());
 
     // now that should also give it to us on client side
     QVERIFY(plasmaWindowCreatedSpy.wait());
diff --git a/keyboard_input.h b/keyboard_input.h
--- a/keyboard_input.h
+++ b/keyboard_input.h
@@ -126,6 +126,7 @@
     bool m_inited = false;
     QScopedPointer<Xkb> m_xkb;
     QHash<quint32, QTimer*> m_repeatTimers;
+    QMetaObject::Connection m_activeClientSurfaceChangedConnection;
 };
 
 inline
diff --git a/keyboard_input.cpp b/keyboard_input.cpp
--- a/keyboard_input.cpp
+++ b/keyboard_input.cpp
@@ -374,7 +374,17 @@
 
     connect(workspace(), &QObject::destroyed, this, [this] { m_inited = false; });
     connect(waylandServer(), &QObject::destroyed, this, [this] { m_inited = false; });
-    connect(workspace(), &Workspace::clientActivated, this, &KeyboardInputRedirection::update);
+    connect(workspace(), &Workspace::clientActivated, this,
+        [this] {
+            disconnect(m_activeClientSurfaceChangedConnection);
+            if (auto c = workspace()->activeClient()) {
+                m_activeClientSurfaceChangedConnection = connect(c, &Toplevel::surfaceChanged, this, &KeyboardInputRedirection::update);
+            } else {
+                m_activeClientSurfaceChangedConnection = QMetaObject::Connection();
+            }
+            update();
+        }
+    );
     if (waylandServer()->hasScreenLockerIntegration()) {
         connect(ScreenLocker::KSldApp::self(), &ScreenLocker::KSldApp::lockStateChanged, this, &KeyboardInputRedirection::update);
     }
diff --git a/toplevel.h b/toplevel.h
--- a/toplevel.h
+++ b/toplevel.h
@@ -450,6 +450,11 @@
      **/
     void hasAlphaChanged();
 
+    /**
+     * Emitted whenever the Surface for this Toplevel changes.
+     **/
+    void surfaceChanged();
+
 protected Q_SLOTS:
     /**
      * Checks whether the screen number for this Toplevel changed and updates if needed.
diff --git a/toplevel.cpp b/toplevel.cpp
--- a/toplevel.cpp
+++ b/toplevel.cpp
@@ -478,6 +478,7 @@
             m_surface = nullptr;
         }
     );
+    emit surfaceChanged();
 }
 
 void Toplevel::addDamage(const QRegion &damage)