diff --git a/hosts/common/programs/xdg-desktop-portal.nix b/hosts/common/programs/xdg-desktop-portal.nix
index a24d5787..57116393 100644
--- a/hosts/common/programs/xdg-desktop-portal.nix
+++ b/hosts/common/programs/xdg-desktop-portal.nix
@@ -20,6 +20,9 @@ in
       '';
     });
 
+    # the portal is a launcher, needs to handle anything
+    sandbox.enable = false;
+
     services.xdg-desktop-portal = {
       description = "Portal service";
       wantedBy = [ "graphical-session.target" ];