diff --git a/plugins/power/gsd-power-manager.c b/plugins/power/gsd-power-manager.c
index 5fbf42e..5e58542 100644
--- a/plugins/power/gsd-power-manager.c
+++ b/plugins/power/gsd-power-manager.c
@@ -3415,6 +3415,9 @@ gsd_power_manager_start (GsdPowerManager *manager,
         if (manager->priv->x11_screen == NULL)
                 return FALSE;
 
+        /* gpm to DPMS: we take over! */
+        gnome_rr_screen_set_dpms_timeouts (manager->priv->x11_screen, 0, 0, 0);
+
         /* coldplug the engine */
         engine_coldplug (manager);
         idle_evaluate (manager);
