diff --git a/src/video/x11/SDL_x11clipboard.c b/src/video/x11/SDL_x11clipboard.c
index 30b48e8ec5..3bec670980 100644
--- a/src/video/x11/SDL_x11clipboard.c
+++ b/src/video/x11/SDL_x11clipboard.c
@@ -92,9 +92,7 @@ static int SetSelectionData(SDL_VideoDevice *_this, Atom selection, SDL_Clipboar
     clipboard->mime_count = mime_count;
     clipboard->sequence = sequence;
 
-    if (!clipboard_owner) {
-        X11_XSetSelectionOwner(display, selection, window, CurrentTime);
-    }
+    X11_XSetSelectionOwner(display, selection, window, CurrentTime);
     return 0;
 }