diff --git a/src/VideoWindow.cpp b/src/VideoWindow.cpp
index d3bb43777..e6db81ef5 100644
--- a/src/VideoWindow.cpp
+++ b/src/VideoWindow.cpp
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ GcWindow(parent), home(home), main(parent)
     const char * const vlc_args[] = {
                     "-I", "dummy", /* Don't use any interface */
                     "--ignore-config", /* Don't use VLC's config */
+                    "--disable-screensaver", /* disable screensaver during playback */
 #ifdef Q_OS_LINUX
                     "--no-xlib", // avoid xlib thread error messages
 #endif