diff --git a/plugins/power/gsd-power-manager.c b/plugins/power/gsd-power-manager.c
index 5fbf42e..aba0dbc 100644
--- a/plugins/power/gsd-power-manager.c
+++ b/plugins/power/gsd-power-manager.c
@@ -3403,6 +3403,9 @@ gsd_power_manager_start (GsdPowerManager *manager,
         manager->priv->use_time_primary = g_settings_get_boolean (manager->priv->settings,
                                                                   "use-time-for-policy");
 
+        /* gpm to DPMS: we take over! */
+        gnome_rr_screen_set_dpms_timeouts (gdk_display_get_default(), 0, 0, 0);
+
         /* create IDLETIME watcher */
         manager->priv->idletime = gpm_idletime_new ();
         g_signal_connect (manager->priv->idletime, "reset",
