diff --git a/sddm-theme/Login.qml b/sddm-theme/Login.qml
--- a/sddm-theme/Login.qml
+++ b/sddm-theme/Login.qml
@@ -37,6 +37,10 @@
         var username = showUsernamePrompt ? userNameInput.text : userList.selectedUser
         var password = passwordBox.text
 
+        footer.enabled = false
+        mainStack.enabled = false
+        userListComponent.userList.opacity = 0.5
+
         //this is partly because it looks nicer
         //but more importantly it works round a Qt bug that can trigger if the app is closed with a TextField focused
         //DAVE REPORT THE FRICKING THING AND PUT A LINK
diff --git a/sddm-theme/Main.qml b/sddm-theme/Main.qml
--- a/sddm-theme/Main.qml
+++ b/sddm-theme/Main.qml
@@ -444,6 +444,9 @@
         target: sddm
         onLoginFailed: {
             notificationMessage = i18nd("plasma_lookandfeel_org.kde.lookandfeel", "Login Failed")
+            footer.enabled = true
+            mainStack.enabled = true
+            userListComponent.userList.opacity = 1
         }
         onLoginSucceeded: {
             //note SDDM will kill the greeter at some random point after this