diff --git a/RELEASE-NOTES-next b/RELEASE-NOTES-next
index 6dfa9c6f2..928f276a1 100644
--- a/RELEASE-NOTES-next
+++ b/RELEASE-NOTES-next
@@ -33,3 +33,4 @@ strongly encouraged to upgrade.
   • i3bar: properly restart status command after config change
   • i3bar: exit with 1 when a wrong command line argument is used
   • fix commented-out rofi call in default i3 config
+  • clear pixmap before drawing to prevent visual garbage
diff --git a/src/x.c b/src/x.c
index 76679b9fb..c9ef07f7a 100644
--- a/src/x.c
+++ b/src/x.c
@@ -537,6 +537,9 @@ void x_draw_decoration(Con *con) {
 
     /* 2: draw the client.background, but only for the parts around the window_rect */
     if (con->window != NULL) {
+        /* Clear visible windows before beginning to draw */
+        draw_util_clear_surface(&(con->frame_buffer), (color_t){.red = 0.0, .green = 0.0, .blue = 0.0});
+
         /* top area */
         draw_util_rectangle(&(con->frame_buffer), config.client.background,
                             0, 0, r->width, w->y);