I found a workaround for this: $ gsettings set org.gnome.gnome-flashback desktop-background true
** Package changed: unity (Ubuntu) => gnome-flashback (Ubuntu) -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Bugs, which is subscribed to Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1626756 Title: Desktop background image not showing up when icons are hidden To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/gnome-flashback/+bug/1626756/+subscriptions -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list ubuntu-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs