--- plugins/background/gsd-background-manager.c	2010-11-04 19:37:29.000000000 +0000
+++ plugins/background/gsd-background-manager.c.draw_background	2010-11-04 19:53:00.000000000 +0000
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@
 #include "gsd-background-manager.h"
 
 #define NAUTILUS_SHOW_DESKTOP_KEY "/apps/nautilus/preferences/show_desktop"
+#define GNOME_DRAW_BACKGROUND_KEY "/desktop/gnome/background/draw_background"
 
 #define GSD_BACKGROUND_MANAGER_GET_PRIVATE(o) (G_TYPE_INSTANCE_GET_PRIVATE ((o), GSD_TYPE_BACKGROUND_MANAGER, GsdBackgroundManagerPrivate))
 
@@ -172,6 +173,16 @@
                 return;
         }
 
+        gboolean gnome_draw_background;
+
+        gnome_draw_background = gconf_client_get_bool (manager->priv->client,
+                                                       GNOME_DRAW_BACKGROUND_KEY,
+                                                       NULL);
+
+        if (!gnome_draw_background) {
+            return;
+        }
+
         gnome_settings_profile_start (NULL);
 
         display = gdk_display_get_default ();
