diff --git a/sowm.c b/sowm.c
index 0d74d4b..ff70968 100644
--- a/sowm.c
+++ b/sowm.c
@@ -326,7 +326,17 @@ void win_del(Window w) {
    "Shoot first and don't ask questions later?.."
 */
 void win_kill() {
-    if (win_current() != root) XKillClient(d, cur);
+    if (win_current() == root) return;
+
+    XEvent ev = { .type = ClientMessage };
+
+    ev.xclient.window       = cur;
+    ev.xclient.format       = 32;
+    ev.xclient.message_type = XInternAtom(d, "WM_PROTOCOLS", True);
+    ev.xclient.data.l[0]    = XInternAtom(d, "WM_DELETE_WINDOW", True);
+    ev.xclient.data.l[1]    = CurrentTime;
+
+    XSendEvent(d, cur, False, NoEventMask, &ev);
 }

 /*