diff --git a/kitty/boss.py b/kitty/boss.py
index 2fb6248a8..ea335a0ea 100644
--- a/kitty/boss.py
+++ b/kitty/boss.py
@@ -90,7 +90,6 @@ def iterwindows(self):
     def add_child(self, window):
         self.child_monitor.add_child(window.id, window.child.pid, window.child.child_fd, window.screen)
         self.window_id_map[window.id] = window
-        wakeup()
 
     def on_child_death(self, window_id):
         w = self.window_id_map.pop(window_id, None)
@@ -101,7 +100,6 @@ def close_window(self, window=None):
         if window is None:
             window = self.active_window
         self.child_monitor.mark_for_close(window.id)
-        wakeup()
 
     def close_tab(self, tab=None):
         if tab is None:
diff --git a/kitty/child-monitor.c b/kitty/child-monitor.c
index 1bfe41440..30a8184f9 100644
--- a/kitty/child-monitor.c
+++ b/kitty/child-monitor.c
@@ -226,6 +226,7 @@ add_child(ChildMonitor *self, PyObject *args) {
     INCREF_CHILD(add_queue[add_queue_count]);
     add_queue_count++;
     children_mutex(unlock);
+    wakeup_io_loop();
     Py_RETURN_NONE;
 }
 
@@ -354,6 +355,7 @@ mark_for_close(ChildMonitor *self, PyObject *args) {
         }
     }
     children_mutex(unlock);
+    wakeup_io_loop();
     Py_RETURN_NONE;
 }