diff --git a/video/out/cocoa_common.m b/video/out/cocoa_common.m
index a893d0448a..db36e15c97 100644
--- a/video/out/cocoa_common.m
+++ b/video/out/cocoa_common.m
@@ -480,8 +480,10 @@ int vo_cocoa_config_window(struct vo *vo, uint32_t flags, void *gl_ctx)
         s->pending_events |= VO_EVENT_RESIZE;
     });
 
-    [NSApp setActivationPolicy:NSApplicationActivationPolicyRegular];
-    set_application_icon(NSApp);
+    if (!s->embedded) {
+        [NSApp setActivationPolicy:NSApplicationActivationPolicyRegular];
+        set_application_icon(NSApp);
+    }
     return 0;
 }