diff --git a/include/wlr/types/wlr_keyboard.h b/include/wlr/types/wlr_keyboard.h
index d32d6e96b..c67cc4c26 100644
--- a/include/wlr/types/wlr_keyboard.h
+++ b/include/wlr/types/wlr_keyboard.h
@@ -32,6 +32,13 @@ enum wlr_keyboard_modifier {
 
 struct wlr_keyboard_impl;
 
+struct wlr_keyboard_modifiers {
+	xkb_mod_mask_t depressed;
+	xkb_mod_mask_t latched;
+	xkb_mod_mask_t locked;
+	xkb_mod_mask_t group;
+};
+
 struct wlr_keyboard {
 	struct wlr_keyboard_impl *impl;
 	// TODO: Should this store key repeat info too?
@@ -45,12 +52,7 @@ struct wlr_keyboard {
 
 	uint32_t keycodes[WLR_KEYBOARD_KEYS_CAP];
 	size_t num_keycodes;
-	struct {
-		xkb_mod_mask_t depressed;
-		xkb_mod_mask_t latched;
-		xkb_mod_mask_t locked;
-		xkb_mod_mask_t group;
-	} modifiers;
+	struct wlr_keyboard_modifiers modifiers;
 
 	struct {
 		int32_t rate;
diff --git a/include/wlr/types/wlr_seat.h b/include/wlr/types/wlr_seat.h
index 432e5dc3f..c2a89f33c 100644
--- a/include/wlr/types/wlr_seat.h
+++ b/include/wlr/types/wlr_seat.h
@@ -68,10 +68,12 @@ struct wlr_seat_keyboard_grab;
 
 struct wlr_keyboard_grab_interface {
 	void (*enter)(struct wlr_seat_keyboard_grab *grab,
-			struct wlr_surface *surface);
+			struct wlr_surface *surface, uint32_t keycodes[],
+			size_t num_keycodes, struct wlr_keyboard_modifiers *modifiers);
 	void (*key)(struct wlr_seat_keyboard_grab *grab, uint32_t time,
 			uint32_t key, uint32_t state);
-	void (*modifiers)(struct wlr_seat_keyboard_grab *grab);
+	void (*modifiers)(struct wlr_seat_keyboard_grab *grab,
+			struct wlr_keyboard_modifiers *modifiers);
 	void (*cancel)(struct wlr_seat_keyboard_grab *grab);
 };
 
@@ -344,6 +346,11 @@ bool wlr_seat_pointer_has_grab(struct wlr_seat *seat);
  */
 void wlr_seat_set_keyboard(struct wlr_seat *seat, struct wlr_input_device *dev);
 
+/**
+ * Get the active keyboard for the seat.
+ */
+struct wlr_keyboard *wlr_seat_get_keyboard(struct wlr_seat *seat);
+
 /**
  * Start a grab of the keyboard of this seat. The grabber is responsible for
  * handling all keyboard events until the grab ends.
@@ -375,21 +382,24 @@ void wlr_seat_keyboard_notify_key(struct wlr_seat *seat, uint32_t time,
  * Send the modifier state to focused keyboard resources. Compositors should use
  * `wlr_seat_keyboard_notify_modifiers()` to respect any keyboard grabs.
  */
-void wlr_seat_keyboard_send_modifiers(struct wlr_seat *seat);
+void wlr_seat_keyboard_send_modifiers(struct wlr_seat *seat,
+		struct wlr_keyboard_modifiers *modifiers);
 
 /**
  * Notify the seat that the modifiers for the keyboard have changed. Defers to
  * any keyboard grabs.
  */
-void wlr_seat_keyboard_notify_modifiers(struct wlr_seat *seat);
+void wlr_seat_keyboard_notify_modifiers(struct wlr_seat *seat,
+		struct wlr_keyboard_modifiers *modifiers);
 
 /**
  * Notify the seat that the keyboard focus has changed and request it to be the
  * focused surface for this keyboard. Defers to any current grab of the seat's
  * keyboard.
  */
-void wlr_seat_keyboard_notify_enter(struct wlr_seat *wlr_seat,
-		struct wlr_surface *surface);
+void wlr_seat_keyboard_notify_enter(struct wlr_seat *seat,
+		struct wlr_surface *surface, uint32_t keycodes[], size_t num_keycodes,
+		struct wlr_keyboard_modifiers *modifiers);
 
 /**
  * Send a keyboard enter event to the given surface and consider it to be the
@@ -398,8 +408,9 @@ void wlr_seat_keyboard_notify_enter(struct wlr_seat *wlr_seat,
  * `wlr_seat_keyboard_notify_enter()` to change keyboard focus to respect
  * keyboard grabs.
  */
-void wlr_seat_keyboard_enter(struct wlr_seat *wlr_seat,
-		struct wlr_surface *surface);
+void wlr_seat_keyboard_enter(struct wlr_seat *seat,
+		struct wlr_surface *surface, uint32_t keycodes[], size_t num_keycodes,
+		struct wlr_keyboard_modifiers *modifiers);
 
 /**
  * Clear the focused surface for the keyboard and leave all entered surfaces.
diff --git a/rootston/keyboard.c b/rootston/keyboard.c
index 14199afd1..f1123599a 100644
--- a/rootston/keyboard.c
+++ b/rootston/keyboard.c
@@ -288,7 +288,8 @@ void roots_keyboard_handle_key(struct roots_keyboard *keyboard,
 void roots_keyboard_handle_modifiers(struct roots_keyboard *r_keyboard) {
 	struct wlr_seat *seat = r_keyboard->seat->seat;
 	wlr_seat_set_keyboard(seat, r_keyboard->device);
-	wlr_seat_keyboard_notify_modifiers(seat);
+	wlr_seat_keyboard_notify_modifiers(seat,
+		&r_keyboard->device->keyboard->modifiers);
 }
 
 static void keyboard_config_merge(struct roots_keyboard_config *config,
diff --git a/rootston/seat.c b/rootston/seat.c
index a61057bd8..1a0e6253c 100644
--- a/rootston/seat.c
+++ b/rootston/seat.c
@@ -662,7 +662,16 @@ void roots_seat_set_focus(struct roots_seat *seat, struct roots_view *view) {
 	seat->has_focus = true;
 	wl_list_remove(&seat_view->link);
 	wl_list_insert(&seat->views, &seat_view->link);
-	wlr_seat_keyboard_notify_enter(seat->seat, view->wlr_surface);
+
+	struct wlr_keyboard *keyboard = wlr_seat_get_keyboard(seat->seat);
+	if (keyboard != NULL) {
+		wlr_seat_keyboard_notify_enter(seat->seat, view->wlr_surface,
+			keyboard->keycodes, keyboard->num_keycodes,
+			&keyboard->modifiers);
+	} else {
+		wlr_seat_keyboard_notify_enter(seat->seat, view->wlr_surface,
+			NULL, 0, NULL);
+	}
 }
 
 void roots_seat_cycle_focus(struct roots_seat *seat) {
diff --git a/types/wlr_data_device.c b/types/wlr_data_device.c
index a4eb233b4..5a6bc1980 100644
--- a/types/wlr_data_device.c
+++ b/types/wlr_data_device.c
@@ -585,7 +585,8 @@ const struct wlr_touch_grab_interface wlr_data_device_touch_drag_interface = {
 };
 
 static void keyboard_drag_enter(struct wlr_seat_keyboard_grab *grab,
-		struct wlr_surface *surface) {
+		struct wlr_surface *surface, uint32_t keycodes[], size_t num_keycodes,
+		struct wlr_keyboard_modifiers *modifiers) {
 	// nothing has keyboard focus during drags
 }
 
@@ -594,7 +595,8 @@ static void keyboard_drag_key(struct wlr_seat_keyboard_grab *grab,
 	// no keyboard input during drags
 }
 
-static void keyboard_drag_modifiers(struct wlr_seat_keyboard_grab *grab) {
+static void keyboard_drag_modifiers(struct wlr_seat_keyboard_grab *grab,
+		struct wlr_keyboard_modifiers *modifiers) {
 	//struct wlr_keyboard *keyboard = grab->seat->keyboard_state.keyboard;
 	// TODO change the dnd action based on what modifier is pressed on the
 	// keyboard
diff --git a/types/wlr_keyboard.c b/types/wlr_keyboard.c
index 6caf27f5b..b0dc97aaf 100644
--- a/types/wlr_keyboard.c
+++ b/types/wlr_keyboard.c
@@ -11,6 +11,10 @@
 int os_create_anonymous_file(off_t size);
 
 static void keyboard_led_update(struct wlr_keyboard *keyboard) {
+	if (keyboard->xkb_state == NULL) {
+		return;
+	}
+
 	uint32_t leds = 0;
 	for (uint32_t i = 0; i < WLR_LED_COUNT; ++i) {
 		if (xkb_state_led_index_is_active(keyboard->xkb_state,
@@ -21,7 +25,15 @@ static void keyboard_led_update(struct wlr_keyboard *keyboard) {
 	wlr_keyboard_led_update(keyboard, leds);
 }
 
-static void keyboard_modifier_update(struct wlr_keyboard *keyboard) {
+/**
+ * Update the modifier state of the wlr-keyboard. Returns true if the modifier
+ * state changed.
+ */
+static bool keyboard_modifier_update(struct wlr_keyboard *keyboard) {
+	if (keyboard->xkb_state == NULL) {
+		return false;
+	}
+
 	xkb_mod_mask_t depressed = xkb_state_serialize_mods(keyboard->xkb_state,
 		XKB_STATE_MODS_DEPRESSED);
 	xkb_mod_mask_t latched = xkb_state_serialize_mods(keyboard->xkb_state,
@@ -34,7 +46,7 @@ static void keyboard_modifier_update(struct wlr_keyboard *keyboard) {
 			latched == keyboard->modifiers.latched &&
 			locked == keyboard->modifiers.locked &&
 			group == keyboard->modifiers.group) {
-		return;
+		return false;
 	}
 
 	keyboard->modifiers.depressed = depressed;
@@ -42,7 +54,7 @@ static void keyboard_modifier_update(struct wlr_keyboard *keyboard) {
 	keyboard->modifiers.locked = locked;
 	keyboard->modifiers.group = group;
 
-	wl_signal_emit(&keyboard->events.modifiers, keyboard);
+	return true;
 }
 
 // https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/move-zeroes-end-array/
@@ -90,17 +102,21 @@ static void keyboard_key_update(struct wlr_keyboard *keyboard,
 void wlr_keyboard_notify_modifiers(struct wlr_keyboard *keyboard,
 		uint32_t mods_depressed, uint32_t mods_latched, uint32_t mods_locked,
 		uint32_t group) {
-	if (!keyboard->xkb_state) {
+	if (keyboard->xkb_state == NULL) {
 		return;
 	}
 	xkb_state_update_mask(keyboard->xkb_state, mods_depressed, mods_latched,
 		mods_locked, 0, 0, group);
-	keyboard_modifier_update(keyboard);
+
+	bool updated = keyboard_modifier_update(keyboard);
+	if (updated) {
+		wl_signal_emit(&keyboard->events.modifiers, keyboard);
+	}
 }
 
 void wlr_keyboard_notify_key(struct wlr_keyboard *keyboard,
 		struct wlr_event_keyboard_key *event) {
-	if (!keyboard->xkb_state) {
+	if (keyboard->xkb_state == NULL) {
 		return;
 	}
 	if (event->update_state) {
@@ -109,7 +125,12 @@ void wlr_keyboard_notify_key(struct wlr_keyboard *keyboard,
 			event->state == WLR_KEY_PRESSED ? XKB_KEY_DOWN : XKB_KEY_UP);
 	}
 	keyboard_led_update(keyboard);
-	keyboard_modifier_update(keyboard);
+
+	bool updated = keyboard_modifier_update(keyboard);
+	if (updated) {
+		wl_signal_emit(&keyboard->events.modifiers, keyboard);
+	}
+
 	keyboard_key_update(keyboard, event);
 	wl_signal_emit(&keyboard->events.key, event);
 }
@@ -150,20 +171,16 @@ void wlr_keyboard_led_update(struct wlr_keyboard *kb, uint32_t leds) {
 
 void wlr_keyboard_set_keymap(struct wlr_keyboard *kb,
 		struct xkb_keymap *keymap) {
-	if (kb->keymap) {
-		xkb_keymap_unref(kb->keymap);
-	}
-	xkb_keymap_ref(keymap);
-	kb->keymap = keymap;
+	char *keymap_str = NULL;
 
-	if (kb->xkb_state) {
-		xkb_state_unref(kb->xkb_state);
-	}
+	xkb_keymap_unref(kb->keymap);
+	kb->keymap = xkb_keymap_ref(keymap);
 
+	xkb_state_unref(kb->xkb_state);
 	kb->xkb_state = xkb_state_new(kb->keymap);
 	if (kb->xkb_state == NULL) {
 		wlr_log(L_ERROR, "Failed to create XKB state");
-		return;
+		goto err;
 	}
 
 	const char *led_names[WLR_LED_COUNT] = {
@@ -190,7 +207,7 @@ void wlr_keyboard_set_keymap(struct wlr_keyboard *kb,
 		kb->mod_indexes[i] = xkb_map_mod_get_index(kb->keymap, mod_names[i]);
 	}
 
-	char *keymap_str = xkb_keymap_get_as_string(kb->keymap,
+	keymap_str = xkb_keymap_get_as_string(kb->keymap,
 		XKB_KEYMAP_FORMAT_TEXT_V1);
 	kb->keymap_size = strlen(keymap_str) + 1;
 	if (kb->keymap_fd) {
@@ -199,16 +216,34 @@ void wlr_keyboard_set_keymap(struct wlr_keyboard *kb,
 	kb->keymap_fd = os_create_anonymous_file(kb->keymap_size);
 	if (kb->keymap_fd < 0) {
 		wlr_log(L_ERROR, "creating a keymap file for %lu bytes failed", kb->keymap_size);
+		goto err;
 	}
 	void *ptr = mmap(NULL, kb->keymap_size,
 		PROT_READ | PROT_WRITE, MAP_SHARED, kb->keymap_fd, 0);
 	if (ptr == (void*)-1) {
 		wlr_log(L_ERROR, "failed to mmap() %lu bytes", kb->keymap_size);
+		goto err;
 	}
 	strcpy(ptr, keymap_str);
 	free(keymap_str);
 
+	for (size_t i = 0; i < kb->num_keycodes; ++i) {
+		xkb_keycode_t keycode = kb->keycodes[i] + 8;
+		xkb_state_update_key(kb->xkb_state, keycode, XKB_KEY_DOWN);
+	}
+
+	keyboard_modifier_update(kb);
+
 	wl_signal_emit(&kb->events.keymap, kb);
+	return;
+
+err:
+	xkb_state_unref(kb->xkb_state);
+	kb->xkb_state = NULL;
+	xkb_keymap_unref(keymap);
+	kb->keymap = NULL;
+	close(kb->keymap_fd);
+	free(keymap_str);
 }
 
 void wlr_keyboard_set_repeat_info(struct wlr_keyboard *kb, int32_t rate,
diff --git a/types/wlr_seat.c b/types/wlr_seat.c
index fd76775da..019cb5671 100644
--- a/types/wlr_seat.c
+++ b/types/wlr_seat.c
@@ -282,8 +282,9 @@ static const struct  wlr_pointer_grab_interface default_pointer_grab_impl = {
 };
 
 static void default_keyboard_enter(struct wlr_seat_keyboard_grab *grab,
-		struct wlr_surface *surface) {
-	wlr_seat_keyboard_enter(grab->seat, surface);
+		struct wlr_surface *surface, uint32_t keycodes[], size_t num_keycodes,
+		struct wlr_keyboard_modifiers *modifiers) {
+	wlr_seat_keyboard_enter(grab->seat, surface, keycodes, num_keycodes, modifiers);
 }
 
 static void default_keyboard_key(struct wlr_seat_keyboard_grab *grab,
@@ -291,8 +292,9 @@ static void default_keyboard_key(struct wlr_seat_keyboard_grab *grab,
 	wlr_seat_keyboard_send_key(grab->seat, time, key, state);
 }
 
-static void default_keyboard_modifiers(struct wlr_seat_keyboard_grab *grab) {
-	wlr_seat_keyboard_send_modifiers(grab->seat);
+static void default_keyboard_modifiers(struct wlr_seat_keyboard_grab *grab,
+		struct wlr_keyboard_modifiers *modifiers) {
+	wlr_seat_keyboard_send_modifiers(grab->seat, modifiers);
 }
 
 static void default_keyboard_cancel(struct wlr_seat_keyboard_grab *grab) {
@@ -773,6 +775,7 @@ void wlr_seat_set_keyboard(struct wlr_seat *seat,
 
 	if (keyboard) {
 		assert(device->type == WLR_INPUT_DEVICE_KEYBOARD);
+		seat->keyboard_state.keyboard = keyboard;
 
 		wl_signal_add(&device->events.destroy,
 			&seat->keyboard_state.keyboard_destroy);
@@ -787,14 +790,18 @@ void wlr_seat_set_keyboard(struct wlr_seat *seat,
 
 		struct wlr_seat_client *client;
 		wl_list_for_each(client, &seat->clients, link) {
-			seat_client_send_keymap(client, device->keyboard);
-			seat_client_send_repeat_info(client, device->keyboard);
+			seat_client_send_keymap(client, keyboard);
+			seat_client_send_repeat_info(client, keyboard);
 		}
 
+		wlr_seat_keyboard_send_modifiers(seat, &keyboard->modifiers);
+	} else {
+		seat->keyboard_state.keyboard = NULL;
 	}
+}
 
-	seat->keyboard_state.keyboard = keyboard;
-	wlr_seat_keyboard_send_modifiers(seat);
+struct wlr_keyboard *wlr_seat_get_keyboard(struct wlr_seat *seat) {
+	return seat->keyboard_state.keyboard;
 }
 
 void wlr_seat_keyboard_start_grab(struct wlr_seat *wlr_seat,
@@ -835,28 +842,29 @@ static void keyboard_resource_destroy_notify(struct wl_listener *listener,
 	wlr_seat_keyboard_clear_focus(state->seat);
 }
 
-void wlr_seat_keyboard_send_modifiers(struct wlr_seat *seat) {
+void wlr_seat_keyboard_send_modifiers(struct wlr_seat *seat,
+		struct wlr_keyboard_modifiers *modifiers) {
 	struct wlr_seat_client *client = seat->keyboard_state.focused_client;
 	if (client == NULL) {
 		return;
 	}
 
-	struct wlr_keyboard *keyboard = seat->keyboard_state.keyboard;
-	if (keyboard == NULL) {
-		return;
-	}
-
 	uint32_t serial = wl_display_next_serial(seat->display);
 	struct wl_resource *resource;
 	wl_resource_for_each(resource, &client->keyboards) {
-		wl_keyboard_send_modifiers(resource, serial,
-			keyboard->modifiers.depressed, keyboard->modifiers.latched,
-			keyboard->modifiers.locked, keyboard->modifiers.group);
+		if (modifiers == NULL) {
+			wl_keyboard_send_modifiers(resource, serial, 0, 0, 0, 0);
+		} else {
+			wl_keyboard_send_modifiers(resource, serial,
+				modifiers->depressed, modifiers->latched,
+				modifiers->locked, modifiers->group);
+		}
 	}
 }
 
 void wlr_seat_keyboard_enter(struct wlr_seat *seat,
-		struct wlr_surface *surface) {
+		struct wlr_surface *surface, uint32_t keycodes[], size_t num_keycodes,
+		struct wlr_keyboard_modifiers *modifiers) {
 	if (seat->keyboard_state.focused_surface == surface) {
 		// this surface already got an enter notify
 		return;
@@ -884,19 +892,17 @@ void wlr_seat_keyboard_enter(struct wlr_seat *seat,
 	}
 
 	// enter the current surface
-	if (client != NULL && seat->keyboard_state.keyboard != NULL) {
-		struct wlr_keyboard *keyboard = seat->keyboard_state.keyboard;
-
+	if (client != NULL) {
 		struct wl_array keys;
 		wl_array_init(&keys);
-		for (size_t i = 0; i < keyboard->num_keycodes; ++i) {
+		for (size_t i = 0; i < num_keycodes; ++i) {
 			uint32_t *p = wl_array_add(&keys, sizeof(uint32_t));
 			if (!p) {
 				wlr_log(L_ERROR, "Cannot allocate memory, skipping keycode: %d\n",
-					keyboard->keycodes[i]);
+					keycodes[i]);
 				continue;
 			}
-			*p = keyboard->keycodes[i];
+			*p = keycodes[i];
 		}
 		uint32_t serial = wl_display_next_serial(seat->display);
 		struct wl_resource *resource;
@@ -928,33 +934,34 @@ void wlr_seat_keyboard_enter(struct wlr_seat *seat,
 	seat->keyboard_state.focused_client = client;
 	seat->keyboard_state.focused_surface = surface;
 
-	if (client != NULL && seat->keyboard_state.keyboard != NULL) {
+	if (client != NULL) {
 		// tell new client about any modifier change last,
 		// as it targets seat->keyboard_state.focused_client
-		wlr_seat_keyboard_send_modifiers(seat);
+		wlr_seat_keyboard_send_modifiers(seat, modifiers);
 	}
 }
 
-void wlr_seat_keyboard_notify_enter(struct wlr_seat *seat, struct
-		wlr_surface *surface) {
+void wlr_seat_keyboard_notify_enter(struct wlr_seat *seat,
+		struct wlr_surface *surface, uint32_t keycodes[], size_t num_keycodes,
+		struct wlr_keyboard_modifiers *modifiers) {
 	struct wlr_seat_keyboard_grab *grab = seat->keyboard_state.grab;
-	grab->interface->enter(grab, surface);
+	grab->interface->enter(grab, surface, keycodes, num_keycodes, modifiers);
 }
 
 void wlr_seat_keyboard_clear_focus(struct wlr_seat *seat) {
-	struct wl_array keys;
-	wl_array_init(&keys);
-	wlr_seat_keyboard_enter(seat, NULL);
+	// TODO respect grabs here?
+	wlr_seat_keyboard_enter(seat, NULL, NULL, 0, NULL);
 }
 
 bool wlr_seat_keyboard_has_grab(struct wlr_seat *seat) {
 	return seat->keyboard_state.grab->interface != &default_keyboard_grab_impl;
 }
 
-void wlr_seat_keyboard_notify_modifiers(struct wlr_seat *seat) {
+void wlr_seat_keyboard_notify_modifiers(struct wlr_seat *seat,
+		struct wlr_keyboard_modifiers *modifiers) {
 	clock_gettime(CLOCK_MONOTONIC, &seat->last_event);
 	struct wlr_seat_keyboard_grab *grab = seat->keyboard_state.grab;
-	grab->interface->modifiers(grab);
+	grab->interface->modifiers(grab, modifiers);
 }
 
 void wlr_seat_keyboard_notify_key(struct wlr_seat *seat, uint32_t time,
diff --git a/types/wlr_xdg_shell_v6.c b/types/wlr_xdg_shell_v6.c
index 1c46197e4..59b152bdf 100644
--- a/types/wlr_xdg_shell_v6.c
+++ b/types/wlr_xdg_shell_v6.c
@@ -103,7 +103,9 @@ static const struct wlr_pointer_grab_interface xdg_pointer_grab_impl = {
 	.axis = xdg_pointer_grab_axis,
 };
 
-static void xdg_keyboard_grab_enter(struct wlr_seat_keyboard_grab *grab, struct wlr_surface *surface) {
+static void xdg_keyboard_grab_enter(struct wlr_seat_keyboard_grab *grab,
+		struct wlr_surface *surface, uint32_t keycodes[], size_t num_keycodes,
+		struct wlr_keyboard_modifiers *modifiers) {
 	// keyboard focus should remain on the popup
 }
 
@@ -112,8 +114,9 @@ static void xdg_keyboard_grab_key(struct wlr_seat_keyboard_grab *grab, uint32_t
 	wlr_seat_keyboard_send_key(grab->seat, time, key, state);
 }
 
-static void xdg_keyboard_grab_modifiers(struct wlr_seat_keyboard_grab *grab) {
-	wlr_seat_keyboard_send_modifiers(grab->seat);
+static void xdg_keyboard_grab_modifiers(struct wlr_seat_keyboard_grab *grab,
+		struct wlr_keyboard_modifiers *modifiers) {
+	wlr_seat_keyboard_send_modifiers(grab->seat, modifiers);
 }
 
 static void xdg_keyboard_grab_cancel(struct wlr_seat_keyboard_grab *grab) {