diff --git a/tests/_graphical_input.pm b/tests/_graphical_input.pm
index ec69b86d..86db3c54 100644
--- a/tests/_graphical_input.pm
+++ b/tests/_graphical_input.pm
@@ -4,6 +4,10 @@ use testapi;
 use utils;
 
 sub run {
+    # do this from the overview because the desktop uses the stupid
+    # transparent top bar which messes with our needles
+    send_key "alt-f1";
+    assert_screen "overview_app_grid";
     # check both layouts are available at the desktop; here,
     # we can expect input method switching to work too
     desktop_switch_layout 'ascii';
@@ -14,8 +18,7 @@ sub run {
     if (get_var("LANGUAGE") eq 'japanese') {
         # wait a bit for input switch to complete
         sleep 3;
-        # assume we can test input from whatever 'alt-f1' opens
-        send_key "alt-f1";
+        # assume we can test input from whatever 'alt-f1' opened
         type_safely "yama";
         assert_screen "desktop_yama_hiragana";
         send_key "spc";