diff --git a/thunar/thunar-abstract-icon-view.c b/thunar/thunar-abstract-icon-view.c
index bb07326..e7e0b75 100644
--- a/thunar/thunar-abstract-icon-view.c
+++ b/thunar/thunar-abstract-icon-view.c
@@ -694,6 +694,12 @@ thunar_abstract_icon_view_key_press_event (ExoIconView            *view,
                                            GdkEventKey            *event,
                                            ThunarAbstractIconView *abstract_icon_view)
 {
+  /* prevent the spacebar from launching items (annoying GTK+ default) */
+  if (event->keyval == GDK_KEY_space)
+    {
+      return TRUE;
+    }
+
   /* popup context menu if "Menu" or "<Shift>F10" is pressed */
   if (event->keyval == GDK_Menu || ((event->state & GDK_SHIFT_MASK) != 0 && event->keyval == GDK_F10))
     {
diff --git a/thunar/thunar-details-view.c b/thunar/thunar-details-view.c
index d26b72a..f898a96 100644
--- a/thunar/thunar-details-view.c
+++ b/thunar/thunar-details-view.c
@@ -808,6 +808,12 @@ thunar_details_view_key_press_event (GtkTreeView       *tree_view,
                                      GdkEventKey       *event,
                                      ThunarDetailsView *details_view)
 {
+  /* prevent the spacebar from launching items (annoying GTK+ default) */
+  if (event->keyval == GDK_KEY_space)
+    {
+      return TRUE;
+    }
+
   /* popup context menu if "Menu" or "<Shift>F10" is pressed */
   if (event->keyval == GDK_Menu || ((event->state & GDK_SHIFT_MASK) != 0 && event->keyval == GDK_F10))
     {