diff --git a/i3bar/src/xcb.c b/i3bar/src/xcb.c
index 942126302c..5f01c1d8cb 100644
--- a/i3bar/src/xcb.c
+++ b/i3bar/src/xcb.c
@@ -1613,6 +1613,8 @@ void destroy_window(i3_output *output) {
         return;
     }
 
+    kick_tray_clients(output);
+
     draw_util_surface_free(xcb_connection, &(output->bar));
     draw_util_surface_free(xcb_connection, &(output->buffer));
     draw_util_surface_free(xcb_connection, &(output->statusline_buffer));
@@ -1620,8 +1622,6 @@ void destroy_window(i3_output *output) {
     xcb_free_pixmap(xcb_connection, output->buffer.id);
     xcb_free_pixmap(xcb_connection, output->statusline_buffer.id);
     output->bar.id = XCB_NONE;
-
-    kick_tray_clients(output);
 }
 
 /* Strut partial tells i3 where to reserve space for i3bar. This is determined