diff --git a/i3bar/src/ipc.c b/i3bar/src/ipc.c
index 3d2cca58..85cd234f 100644
--- a/i3bar/src/ipc.c
+++ b/i3bar/src/ipc.c
@@ -44,7 +44,13 @@ void retry_connection(struct ev_loop *loop, ev_timer *w, int events) {
     retries = 8;
     ev_timer_stop(loop, w);
     subscribe_events();
-    reconfig_windows();
+
+    /* We get the current outputs and workspaces, to
+     * reconfigure all bars with the current configuration */
+    i3_send_msg(I3_IPC_MESSAGE_TYPE_GET_OUTPUTS, NULL);
+    if (!config.disable_ws) {
+        i3_send_msg(I3_IPC_MESSAGE_TYPE_GET_WORKSPACES, NULL);
+    }
 }
 
 /*
diff --git a/i3bar/src/main.c b/i3bar/src/main.c
index d3107bfb..e91511ef 100644
--- a/i3bar/src/main.c
+++ b/i3bar/src/main.c
@@ -260,17 +260,17 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
     free_colors(&colors);
 
     init_outputs();
-    init_connection(socket_path);
+    if (init_connection(socket_path)) {
+        /* We subscribe to the i3-events we need */
+        subscribe_events();
 
-    /* We subscribe to the i3-events we need */
-    subscribe_events();
-
-    /* We initiate the main-function by requesting infos about the outputs and
-     * workspaces. Everything else (creating the bars, showing the right workspace-
-     * buttons and more) is taken care of by the event-driveniness of the code */
-    i3_send_msg(I3_IPC_MESSAGE_TYPE_GET_OUTPUTS, NULL);
-    if (!config.disable_ws) {
-        i3_send_msg(I3_IPC_MESSAGE_TYPE_GET_WORKSPACES, NULL);
+        /* We initiate the main-function by requesting infos about the outputs and
+         * workspaces. Everything else (creating the bars, showing the right workspace-
+         * buttons and more) is taken care of by the event-driveniness of the code */
+        i3_send_msg(I3_IPC_MESSAGE_TYPE_GET_OUTPUTS, NULL);
+        if (!config.disable_ws) {
+            i3_send_msg(I3_IPC_MESSAGE_TYPE_GET_WORKSPACES, NULL);
+        }
     }
 
     /* The name of this function is actually misleading. Even if no -c is specified,