diff --git a/applets/appmenu/lib/appmenuapplet.cpp b/applets/appmenu/lib/appmenuapplet.cpp
--- a/applets/appmenu/lib/appmenuapplet.cpp
+++ b/applets/appmenu/lib/appmenuapplet.cpp
@@ -205,8 +205,16 @@
             actionMenu->installEventFilter(this);
         }
 
+        setStatus(Plasma::Types::AcceptingInputStatus);
+        actionMenu->winId();//create window handle
+        actionMenu->windowHandle()->setTransientParent(ctx->window());
+
         actionMenu->popup(pos);
 
+        //we can return to passive immediately, an autohide panel will stay open whilst
+        //any transient window is showing
+        setStatus(Plasma::Types::PassiveStatus);
+
         if (view() == FullView) {
             // hide the old menu only after showing the new one to avoid brief flickering
             // in other windows as they briefly re-gain focus