diff --git a/src/handlers.c b/src/handlers.c
index 7a334978..3a83d6a4 100644
--- a/src/handlers.c
+++ b/src/handlers.c
@@ -412,7 +412,7 @@ static void handle_configure_request(xcb_configure_request_event_t *event) {
         if (config.focus_on_window_activation == FOWA_FOCUS || (config.focus_on_window_activation == FOWA_SMART && workspace_is_visible(workspace))) {
             DLOG("Focusing con = %p\n", con);
             workspace_show(workspace);
-            con_activate(con);
+            con_activate_unblock(con);
             tree_render();
         } else if (config.focus_on_window_activation == FOWA_URGENT || (config.focus_on_window_activation == FOWA_SMART && !workspace_is_visible(workspace))) {
             DLOG("Marking con = %p urgent\n", con);
@@ -758,7 +758,7 @@ static void handle_client_message(xcb_client_message_event_t *event) {
                 workspace_show(ws);
                 /* Re-set focus, even if unchanged from i3’s perspective. */
                 focused_id = XCB_NONE;
-                con_activate(con);
+                con_activate_unblock(con);
             }
         } else {
             /* Request is from an application. */
@@ -769,8 +769,7 @@ static void handle_client_message(xcb_client_message_event_t *event) {
 
             if (config.focus_on_window_activation == FOWA_FOCUS || (config.focus_on_window_activation == FOWA_SMART && workspace_is_visible(ws))) {
                 DLOG("Focusing con = %p\n", con);
-                workspace_show(ws);
-                con_activate(con);
+                con_activate_unblock(con);
             } else if (config.focus_on_window_activation == FOWA_URGENT || (config.focus_on_window_activation == FOWA_SMART && !workspace_is_visible(ws))) {
                 DLOG("Marking con = %p urgent\n", con);
                 con_set_urgency(con, true);
@@ -1115,14 +1114,8 @@ static void handle_focus_in(xcb_focus_in_event_t *event) {
 
     DLOG("focus is different / refocusing floating window: updating decorations\n");
 
-    /* Get the currently focused workspace to check if the focus change also
-     * involves changing workspaces. If so, we need to call workspace_show() to
-     * correctly update state and send the IPC event. */
-    Con *ws = con_get_workspace(con);
-    if (ws != con_get_workspace(focused))
-        workspace_show(ws);
+    con_activate_unblock(con);
 
-    con_activate(con);
     /* We update focused_id because we don’t need to set focus again */
     focused_id = event->event;
     tree_render();
diff --git a/testcases/t/195-net-active-window.t b/testcases/t/195-net-active-window.t
index f9f883cb..4ce12089 100644
--- a/testcases/t/195-net-active-window.t
+++ b/testcases/t/195-net-active-window.t
@@ -149,6 +149,22 @@ send_net_active_window($scratch->id, 'pager');
 
 is($x->input_focus, $scratch->id, 'scratchpad window is shown');
 
+################################################################################
+# Send a _NET_ACTIVE_WINDOW ClientMessage for a window behind a fullscreen
+# window
+################################################################################
+
+$ws1 = fresh_workspace;
+$win1 = open_window;
+$win2 = open_window;
+cmd 'fullscreen enable';
+is_num_fullscreen($ws1, 1, '1 fullscreen window in workspace');
+
+send_net_active_window($win1->id);
+
+is($x->input_focus, $win1->id, 'window behind fullscreen window is now focused');
+is_num_fullscreen($ws1, 0, 'no fullscreen windows in workspace');
+
 ################################################################################
 # Verify that the _NET_ACTIVE_WINDOW property is updated on the root window
 # correctly.