diff --git a/src/gtkgui_helpers.py b/src/gtkgui_helpers.py
index 7d47dcbac..03c58b951 100644
--- a/src/gtkgui_helpers.py
+++ b/src/gtkgui_helpers.py
@@ -295,3 +295,9 @@ def get_pixbuf_from_data(file_data):
 		pixbuf = None
 
 	return pixbuf
+
+def get_invisible_cursor():
+	pixmap = gtk.gdk.Pixmap(None, 1, 1, 1)
+	color = gtk.gdk.Color()
+	cursor = gtk.gdk.Cursor(pixmap, pixmap, color, color, 0, 0)
+	return cursor
diff --git a/src/tabbed_chat_window.py b/src/tabbed_chat_window.py
index 0ec4eeab2..61d417b37 100644
--- a/src/tabbed_chat_window.py
+++ b/src/tabbed_chat_window.py
@@ -172,13 +172,35 @@ class TabbedChatWindow(chat.Chat):
 		window.add(image)
 
 		window.set_position(gtk.WIN_POS_MOUSE)
+		# we should make the cursor visible
+		# gtk+ doesn't make use of the motion notify on gtkwindow by default
+		# so this line adds that
+		window.set_events(gtk.gdk.POINTER_MOTION_MASK)
+		window.realize()
+		
+		# make the cursor invisible so we can see the image
+		invisible_cursor = gtkgui_helpers.get_invisible_cursor()
+		window.window.set_cursor(invisible_cursor)
+
+		# we should hide the window
+		window.connect('leave_notify_event',
+			self.on_window_avatar_leave_notify_event)
+		
+		
+		window.connect('motion-notify-event',
+			self.on_window_motion_notify_event)
+
 		window.show_all()
-		window.connect('leave_notify_event', self.on_window_avatar_leave_notify_event)
 
 	def on_window_avatar_leave_notify_event(self, widget, event):
 		'''we just left the popup window that holds avatar'''
 		self.bigger_avatar_window.hide()
 
+	def on_window_motion_notify_event(self, widget, event):
+		'''we just moved the mouse so show the cursor'''
+		cursor = gtk.gdk.Cursor(gtk.gdk.LEFT_PTR)
+		self.bigger_avatar_window.window.set_cursor(cursor)
+
 	def draw_widgets(self, contact):
 		'''draw the widgets in a tab (f.e. gpg togglebutton)
 		according to the the information in the contact variable'''