diff --git a/dbus/org.kde.screensaver.xml b/dbus/org.kde.screensaver.xml
--- a/dbus/org.kde.screensaver.xml
+++ b/dbus/org.kde.screensaver.xml
@@ -5,5 +5,7 @@
     <method name="SwitchUser" />
     <!-- Re-read configuration -->
     <method name="configure" />
+    <!-- Emitted just before we start the lock process. Clients should release any X grabs -->
+    <signal name="AboutToLock" />
   </interface>
 </node>
diff --git a/interface.h b/interface.h
--- a/interface.h
+++ b/interface.h
@@ -113,6 +113,8 @@
     // DBus signals
     void ActiveChanged(bool state);
 
+    void AboutToLock();
+
 private Q_SLOTS:
     void slotLocked();
     void slotUnlocked();
diff --git a/interface.cpp b/interface.cpp
--- a/interface.cpp
+++ b/interface.cpp
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@
     QDBusConnection::sessionBus().registerObject(QStringLiteral("/org/freedesktop/ScreenSaver"), this);
     connect(m_daemon, &KSldApp::locked, this, &Interface::slotLocked);
     connect(m_daemon, &KSldApp::unlocked, this, &Interface::slotUnlocked);
+    connect(m_daemon, &KSldApp::aboutToLock, this, &Interface::AboutToLock);
 
     m_serviceWatcher->setConnection(QDBusConnection::sessionBus());
     m_serviceWatcher->setWatchMode(QDBusServiceWatcher::WatchForUnregistration);
diff --git a/ksldapp.h b/ksldapp.h
--- a/ksldapp.h
+++ b/ksldapp.h
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@
     void inhibit();
     void uninhibit();
 
-    void lock(EstablishLock establishLock);
+    void lock(EstablishLock establishLock, int attemptCount = 0);
     void initialize();
 
     bool event(QEvent *event) override;
@@ -136,6 +136,7 @@
     }
 
 Q_SIGNALS:
+    void aboutToLock();
     void locked();
     void unlocked();
     void greeterClientConnectionChanged();
diff --git a/ksldapp.cpp b/ksldapp.cpp
--- a/ksldapp.cpp
+++ b/ksldapp.cpp
@@ -358,7 +358,7 @@
     }
 }
 
-void KSldApp::lock(EstablishLock establishLock)
+void KSldApp::lock(EstablishLock establishLock, int attemptCount)
 {
     if (lockState() != Unlocked) {
         // already locked or acquiring lock, no need to lock again
@@ -371,9 +371,20 @@
         return;
     }
 
+    if (attemptCount == 0) {
+        emit aboutToLock();
+    }
+
     qDebug() << "lock called";
     if (!establishGrab()) {
-        qCritical() << "Could not establish screen lock";
+        if (attemptCount < 3) {
+            qWarning() << "Could not establish screen lock. Trying again in 10ms";
+            QTimer::singleShot(10, this, [=]() {
+                lock(establishLock, attemptCount+1);
+            });
+        } else {
+            qCritical() << "Could not establish screen lock";
+        }
         return;
     }