diff --git a/lib/awful/ewmh.lua b/lib/awful/ewmh.lua
index e110a450c..bca2e6e73 100644
--- a/lib/awful/ewmh.lua
+++ b/lib/awful/ewmh.lua
@@ -162,6 +162,10 @@ end
 -- @tparam[opt] table hints A table with additional hints:
 -- @tparam[opt=false] boolean hints.raise should the client be raised?
 function ewmh.activate(c, context, hints) -- luacheck: no unused args
+    hints = hints or  {}
+
+    if c.focusable == false and not hints.force then return end
+
     if c:isvisible() then
         client.focus = c
     end