diff --git a/include/components/bar.hpp b/include/components/bar.hpp
index feeebc09..2fcf1ff1 100644
--- a/include/components/bar.hpp
+++ b/include/components/bar.hpp
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ namespace sig_ev = signals::eventqueue;
 
 class bar : public xpp::event::sink<evt::button_press, evt::expose, evt::property_notify, evt::enter_notify,
                 evt::leave_notify, evt::destroy_notify, evt::client_message>,
-            public signal_receiver<SIGN_PRIORITY_BAR, sig_ui::tick, sig_ui::shade_window, sig_ui::unshade_window,
+            public signal_receiver<SIGN_PRIORITY_BAR, sig_ev::start, sig_ui::tick, sig_ui::shade_window, sig_ui::unshade_window,
                 sig_ui::dim_window> {
  public:
   using make_type = unique_ptr<bar>;
@@ -63,6 +63,7 @@ class bar : public xpp::event::sink<evt::button_press, evt::expose, evt::propert
   void handle(const evt::expose& evt);
   void handle(const evt::property_notify& evt);
 
+  bool on(const sig_ev::start&);
   bool on(const sig_ui::unshade_window&);
   bool on(const sig_ui::shade_window&);
   bool on(const sig_ui::tick&);
diff --git a/include/events/signal.hpp b/include/events/signal.hpp
index 64ad28dd..824e32ce 100644
--- a/include/events/signal.hpp
+++ b/include/events/signal.hpp
@@ -57,6 +57,9 @@ namespace signals {
   }
 
   namespace eventqueue {
+    struct start : public detail::base_signal<start> {
+      using base_type::base_type;
+    };
     struct exit_terminate : public detail::base_signal<exit_terminate> {
       using base_type::base_type;
     };
diff --git a/include/events/signal_fwd.hpp b/include/events/signal_fwd.hpp
index 69969298..7b4f6b07 100644
--- a/include/events/signal_fwd.hpp
+++ b/include/events/signal_fwd.hpp
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ namespace signals {
   }
 
   namespace eventqueue {
+    struct start;
     struct exit_terminate;
     struct exit_reload;
     struct notify_change;
diff --git a/src/components/bar.cpp b/src/components/bar.cpp
index f8bd72f1..57ea3514 100644
--- a/src/components/bar.cpp
+++ b/src/components/bar.cpp
@@ -281,11 +281,6 @@ bar::bar(connection& conn, signal_emitter& emitter, const config& config, const
   m_renderer->fill_background();
   m_renderer->end();
 
-  m_log.trace("bar: Setup tray manager");
-  m_tray->setup(static_cast<const bar_settings&>(m_opts));
-
-  broadcast_visibility();
-
   m_sig.attach(this);
 }
 
@@ -619,6 +614,13 @@ void bar::handle(const evt::property_notify& evt) {
   }
 }
 
+bool bar::on(const sig_ev::start&) {
+  m_log.trace("bar: Setup tray manager");
+  m_tray->setup(static_cast<const bar_settings&>(m_opts));
+  broadcast_visibility();
+  return true;
+}
+
 bool bar::on(const sig_ui::unshade_window&) {
   m_opts.shaded = false;
   m_opts.shade_size.w = m_opts.size.w;
diff --git a/src/components/controller.cpp b/src/components/controller.cpp
index fa4034bb..a2da0ddf 100644
--- a/src/components/controller.cpp
+++ b/src/components/controller.cpp
@@ -183,6 +183,8 @@ bool controller::run(bool writeback) {
     throw application_error("No modules started");
   }
 
+  m_sig.emit(signals::eventqueue::start{});
+
   m_connection.flush();
 
   m_event_thread = thread(&controller::process_eventqueue, this);
@@ -531,7 +533,7 @@ bool controller::on(const sig_ev::check_state&) {
     }
   }
   m_log.warn("No running modules...");
-  on(exit_terminate{});
+  on(sig_ev::exit_terminate{});
   return true;
 }