diff --git a/racket/syndicate-ide/main.rkt b/racket/syndicate-ide/main.rkt
index 8a8c1df..e63a7cf 100644
--- a/racket/syndicate-ide/main.rkt
+++ b/racket/syndicate-ide/main.rkt
@@ -76,6 +76,7 @@
                                     (current-trace-procedures))))
                 (run-ground boot-actions)))))
 
+  (signal-background-activity! #t)
   (parameterize ((current-trace-procedures '()))
     ((2d-dataspace #:label "Syndicate IDE")