diff --git a/piker/brokers/ib/_util.py b/piker/brokers/ib/_util.py
index ef4ea15a..5ecd4e55 100644
--- a/piker/brokers/ib/_util.py
+++ b/piker/brokers/ib/_util.py
@@ -333,7 +333,14 @@ def i3ipc_xdotool_manual_click_hack() -> None:
 
     '''
     focussed, matches = i3ipc_fin_wins_titled()
-    orig_win_id = focussed.window
+    try:
+        orig_win_id = focussed.window
+    except AttributeError:
+        # XXX if .window cucks we prolly aren't intending to
+        # use this and/or just woke up from suspend..
+        log.exception('xdotool invalid usage ya ??\n')
+        return
+
     try:
         for name, con in matches:
             print(f'Resetting data feed for {name}')