diff --git a/applets/systemtray/package/contents/ui/main.qml b/applets/systemtray/package/contents/ui/main.qml
--- a/applets/systemtray/package/contents/ui/main.qml
+++ b/applets/systemtray/package/contents/ui/main.qml
@@ -95,6 +95,7 @@
 
     CurrentItemHighLight {
         readonly property bool visibleAppletActivated: root.activeApplet && root.activeApplet.parent && root.activeApplet.parent.inVisibleLayout
+        z: -1 // always draw behind icons
         parent: visibleAppletActivated ? root.activeApplet.parent : root
         target: visibleAppletActivated ? root.activeApplet.parent : root
         location: plasmoid.location