diff --git a/src-tauri/src/lib.rs b/src-tauri/src/lib.rs
index e76c2c6..89aadb5 100644
--- a/src-tauri/src/lib.rs
+++ b/src-tauri/src/lib.rs
@@ -658,6 +658,30 @@ fn read_start_minimized(app: &tauri::AppHandle) -> bool {
         .unwrap_or(true)
 }
 
+/// cinny-desktop #37: whether a tray host exists to show our tray icon. On
+/// stock GNOME there is no StatusNotifier host, so "keep running in the tray"
+/// hides the window with no icon to bring it back. Always true off Linux.
+#[tauri::command]
+fn has_tray_host() -> bool {
+    #[cfg(target_os = "linux")]
+    {
+        let Ok(conn) = zbus::blocking::Connection::session() else {
+            return false;
+        };
+        let Ok(proxy) = zbus::blocking::fdo::DBusProxy::new(&conn) else {
+            return false;
+        };
+        let Ok(name) = zbus::names::BusName::try_from("org.kde.StatusNotifierWatcher") else {
+            return false;
+        };
+        proxy.name_has_owner(name).unwrap_or(false)
+    }
+    #[cfg(not(target_os = "linux"))]
+    {
+        true
+    }
+}
+
 #[tauri::command]
 fn get_start_minimized(app: tauri::AppHandle) -> bool {
     read_start_minimized(&app)
@@ -977,6 +1001,7 @@ pub fn run() {
     builder = builder
         .invoke_handler(tauri::generate_handler![
             set_badge_count,
+            has_tray_host,
             set_tray_unread,
             get_tray_dnd,
             set_tray_update_ready,