diff --git a/effects/blur/blur.h b/effects/blur/blur.h
--- a/effects/blur/blur.h
+++ b/effects/blur/blur.h
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@
     QVector <BlurValuesStruct> blurStrengthValues;
 
     QMap <EffectWindow*, QMetaObject::Connection> windowBlurChangedConnections;
-    KWayland::Server::BlurManagerInterface *m_blurManager = nullptr;
+    KWayland::Server::BlurManagerInterface *s_blurManager = nullptr;
 };
 
 inline
diff --git a/effects/blur/blur.cpp b/effects/blur/blur.cpp
--- a/effects/blur/blur.cpp
+++ b/effects/blur/blur.cpp
@@ -57,8 +57,10 @@
         net_wm_blur_region = effects->announceSupportProperty(s_blurAtomName, this);
         KWayland::Server::Display *display = effects->waylandDisplay();
         if (display) {
-            m_blurManager = display->createBlurManager(this);
-            m_blurManager->create();
+            if (!s_blurManager) {
+                s_blurManager = display->createBlurManager(display);
+            }
+            s_blurManager->create();
         }
     } else {
         net_wm_blur_region = 0;
@@ -83,6 +85,9 @@
 
 BlurEffect::~BlurEffect()
 {
+    // remove from registry to signify that we no longer have a blur effect, but keep global alive
+    // in case clients are binding
+    s_blurManager->remove();
     deleteFBOs();
 }
 
@@ -264,8 +269,7 @@
 
     if (!m_shader || !m_shader->isValid()) {
         effects->removeSupportProperty(s_blurAtomName, this);
-        delete m_blurManager;
-        m_blurManager = nullptr;
+        s_blurManager->remove();
     }
 
     // Update all windows for the blur to take effect