I can reproduce this right now on the Xubuntu utopic daily snapshot (20140917) when I don't have the Indicator Plugin added to my Xfce panel.
I also saw the same problem on by Xubuntu trusty system back in July. ** Changed in: libappindicator Status: Incomplete => New ** Changed in: libappindicator Status: New => Confirmed -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Unity API bugs, which is subscribed to libappindicator. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1086656 Title: Possible breakage of fallback on other desktops Status in Libappindicator: Confirmed Bug description: It seems many people in the Steam forums are reporting that the libappindicator fallback isn't working on some desktops. It is unclear of the complete situation, but this bug is to track it and try to figure out if there is an issue, and if so, fix it. The Steam forum threads: http://steamcommunity.com/app/221410/discussions/1/882966056643744991/ http://steamcommunity.com/app/221410/discussions/1/882966056417505546/ http://steamcommunity.com/app/221410/discussions/1/882965239659234799/ To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/libappindicator/+bug/1086656/+subscriptions -- Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~unity-api-bugs Post to : unity-api-bugs@lists.launchpad.net Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~unity-api-bugs More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp