diff --git a/virtManager/preferences.py b/virtManager/preferences.py
index 5e55ce7b4..e55262ea3 100644
--- a/virtManager/preferences.py
+++ b/virtManager/preferences.py
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ from virtinst import DomainCpu
 from . import uiutil
 from .baseclass import vmmGObjectUI
 from .inspection import vmmInspection
+from .systray import vmmSystray
 
 
 class vmmPreferences(vmmGObjectUI):
@@ -202,7 +203,12 @@ class vmmPreferences(vmmGObjectUI):
     #########################
 
     def refresh_view_system_tray(self):
+        errmsg = vmmSystray.systray_disabled_message()
         val = self.config.get_view_system_tray()
+        if errmsg:
+            val = False
+        self.widget("prefs-system-tray").set_sensitive(not bool(errmsg))
+        self.widget("prefs-system-tray").set_tooltip_text(errmsg)
         self.widget("prefs-system-tray").set_active(bool(val))
 
     def refresh_xmleditor(self):
diff --git a/virtManager/systray.py b/virtManager/systray.py
index efbe8d56f..70e0a0633 100644
--- a/virtManager/systray.py
+++ b/virtManager/systray.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 # See the COPYING file in the top-level directory.
 
 import logging
+import os
 
 from gi.repository import Gio
 from gi.repository import Gtk
@@ -64,6 +65,16 @@ def _has_appindicator_dbus():
         return False
 
 
+_USING_APPINDICATOR = False
+if AppIndicator3:
+    if not _has_appindicator_dbus():
+        logging.debug("AppIndicator3 is available, but didn't "
+                              "find any dbus watcher.")
+    else:
+        _USING_APPINDICATOR = True
+        logging.debug("Using AppIndicator3 for systray")
+
+
 ###########################
 # systray backend classes #
 ###########################
@@ -143,21 +154,21 @@ class vmmSystray(vmmGObject):
             cls._instance = vmmSystray()
         return cls._instance
 
+    @staticmethod
+    def systray_disabled_message():
+        if "WAYLAND_DISPLAY" not in os.environ:
+            return
+        if _USING_APPINDICATOR:
+            return
+        return ("No appindicator listener found, which is required "
+            "on wayland.")
+
     def __init__(self):
         vmmGObject.__init__(self)
         self._cleanup_on_app_close()
         self.topwin = None  # Need this for error callbacks from VMActionMenu
 
         self._systray = None
-        self._using_appindicator = False
-
-        if AppIndicator3:
-            if not _has_appindicator_dbus():
-                logging.debug("AppIndicator3 is available, but didn't "
-                              "find any dbus watcher.")
-            else:
-                self._using_appindicator = True
-                logging.debug("Using AppIndicator3 for systray")
 
         connmanager = vmmConnectionManager.get_instance()
         connmanager.connect("conn-added", self._conn_added_cb)
@@ -185,7 +196,7 @@ class vmmSystray(vmmGObject):
 
     def _show_systray(self):
         if not self._systray:
-            if self._using_appindicator:
+            if _USING_APPINDICATOR:
                 self._systray = _SystrayIndicator()
             else:
                 self._systray = _SystrayStatusIcon()