diff --git a/xpra/x11/gtk_x11/tray.py b/xpra/x11/gtk_x11/tray.py
index 9832c8945b..e50e994faf 100644
--- a/xpra/x11/gtk_x11/tray.py
+++ b/xpra/x11/gtk_x11/tray.py
@@ -151,8 +151,8 @@ def setup_tray_window(self) -> None:
         if TRANSPARENCY:
             visual = screen.get_rgba_visual()
             if visual is None:
-                log.warn("setup tray: using rgb visual fallback")
-                visual = screen.get_rgb_visual()
+                log.warn("setup tray: using system visual fallback")
+                visual = screen.get_system_visual()
         assert visual is not None, "failed to obtain visual"
         self.tray_window = GDKX11Window(root, width=1, height=1,
                                         title="Xpra-SystemTray",