diff --git a/include/rootston/seat.h b/include/rootston/seat.h
index 105ba3aa..4667cd38 100644
--- a/include/rootston/seat.h
+++ b/include/rootston/seat.h
@@ -38,6 +38,8 @@ struct roots_seat {
 	struct wl_list tablets;
 	struct wl_list tablet_pads;
 
+	struct wl_listener request_set_selection;
+	struct wl_listener request_set_primary_selection;
 	struct wl_listener new_drag_icon;
 	struct wl_listener destroy;
 };
diff --git a/include/wlr/types/wlr_data_control_v1.h b/include/wlr/types/wlr_data_control_v1.h
index 50c96736..7d336344 100644
--- a/include/wlr/types/wlr_data_control_v1.h
+++ b/include/wlr/types/wlr_data_control_v1.h
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ struct wlr_data_control_device_v1 {
 	struct wl_resource *selection_offer_resource; // current selection offer
 
 	struct wl_listener seat_destroy;
-	struct wl_listener seat_selection;
+	struct wl_listener seat_set_selection;
 };
 
 struct wlr_data_control_manager_v1 *wlr_data_control_manager_v1_create(
diff --git a/include/wlr/types/wlr_data_device.h b/include/wlr/types/wlr_data_device.h
index 209d917d..4ab181db 100644
--- a/include/wlr/types/wlr_data_device.h
+++ b/include/wlr/types/wlr_data_device.h
@@ -165,6 +165,12 @@ void wlr_data_device_manager_destroy(struct wlr_data_device_manager *manager);
  */
 void wlr_seat_client_send_selection(struct wlr_seat_client *seat_client);
 
+/**
+ * Requests a selection to be set for the seat.
+ */
+void wlr_seat_request_set_selection(struct wlr_seat *seat,
+	struct wlr_data_source *source, uint32_t serial);
+
 /**
  * Sets the current selection for the seat. NULL can be provided to clear it.
  * This removes the previous one if there was any. In case the selection doesn't
diff --git a/include/wlr/types/wlr_gtk_primary_selection.h b/include/wlr/types/wlr_gtk_primary_selection.h
index 7cf34201..4d7f84af 100644
--- a/include/wlr/types/wlr_gtk_primary_selection.h
+++ b/include/wlr/types/wlr_gtk_primary_selection.h
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ struct wlr_gtk_primary_selection_device {
 
 	struct wl_listener seat_destroy;
 	struct wl_listener seat_focus_change;
-	struct wl_listener seat_primary_selection;
+	struct wl_listener seat_set_primary_selection;
 
 	void *data;
 };
diff --git a/include/wlr/types/wlr_primary_selection.h b/include/wlr/types/wlr_primary_selection.h
index a2b23574..b1d45b61 100644
--- a/include/wlr/types/wlr_primary_selection.h
+++ b/include/wlr/types/wlr_primary_selection.h
@@ -48,6 +48,8 @@ void wlr_primary_selection_source_send(
 	struct wlr_primary_selection_source *source, const char *mime_type,
 	int fd);
 
+void wlr_seat_request_set_primary_selection(struct wlr_seat *seat,
+	struct wlr_primary_selection_source *source, uint32_t serial);
 /**
  * Sets the current primary selection for the seat. NULL can be provided to
  * clear it. This removes the previous one if there was any. In case the
diff --git a/include/wlr/types/wlr_seat.h b/include/wlr/types/wlr_seat.h
index 1ad5542e..6bc4af1a 100644
--- a/include/wlr/types/wlr_seat.h
+++ b/include/wlr/types/wlr_seat.h
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@
 struct wlr_seat_client {
 	struct wl_client *client;
 	struct wlr_seat *seat;
+	struct wl_list link;
 
 	// lists of wl_resource
 	struct wl_list resources;
@@ -34,8 +35,6 @@ struct wlr_seat_client {
 	struct {
 		struct wl_signal destroy;
 	} events;
-
-	struct wl_list link;
 };
 
 struct wlr_touch_point {
@@ -226,13 +225,18 @@ struct wlr_seat {
 		struct wl_signal touch_grab_begin;
 		struct wl_signal touch_grab_end;
 
+		// wlr_seat_pointer_request_set_cursor_event
 		struct wl_signal request_set_cursor;
 
-		struct wl_signal selection;
-		struct wl_signal primary_selection;
+		// wlr_seat_request_set_selection_event
+		struct wl_signal request_set_selection;
+		struct wl_signal set_selection;
+		// wlr_seat_request_set_primary_selection_event
+		struct wl_signal request_set_primary_selection;
+		struct wl_signal set_primary_selection;
 
-		struct wl_signal start_drag;
-		struct wl_signal new_drag_icon;
+		struct wl_signal start_drag; // wlr_drag
+		struct wl_signal new_drag_icon; // wlr_drag_icon
 
 		struct wl_signal destroy;
 	} events;
@@ -247,6 +251,16 @@ struct wlr_seat_pointer_request_set_cursor_event {
 	int32_t hotspot_x, hotspot_y;
 };
 
+struct wlr_seat_request_set_selection_event {
+	struct wlr_data_source *source;
+	uint32_t serial;
+};
+
+struct wlr_seat_request_set_primary_selection_event {
+	struct wlr_primary_selection_source *source;
+	uint32_t serial;
+};
+
 struct wlr_seat_pointer_focus_change_event {
 	struct wlr_seat *seat;
 	struct wlr_surface *old_surface, *new_surface;
diff --git a/include/xwayland/xwm.h b/include/xwayland/xwm.h
index c1be572b..a3bdc48c 100644
--- a/include/xwayland/xwm.h
+++ b/include/xwayland/xwm.h
@@ -128,8 +128,8 @@ struct wlr_xwm {
 
 	struct wl_listener compositor_new_surface;
 	struct wl_listener compositor_destroy;
-	struct wl_listener seat_selection;
-	struct wl_listener seat_primary_selection;
+	struct wl_listener seat_set_selection;
+	struct wl_listener seat_set_primary_selection;
 	struct wl_listener seat_start_drag;
 	struct wl_listener seat_drag_focus;
 	struct wl_listener seat_drag_motion;
diff --git a/rootston/seat.c b/rootston/seat.c
index dda2f8df..43760a5e 100644
--- a/rootston/seat.c
+++ b/rootston/seat.c
@@ -7,9 +7,11 @@
 #include <wayland-server.h>
 #include <wlr/backend/libinput.h>
 #include <wlr/config.h>
+#include <wlr/types/wlr_data_device.h>
 #include <wlr/types/wlr_idle.h>
 #include <wlr/types/wlr_layer_shell_v1.h>
-#include "wlr/types/wlr_switch.h"
+#include <wlr/types/wlr_primary_selection.h>
+#include <wlr/types/wlr_switch.h>
 #include <wlr/types/wlr_tablet_v2.h>
 #include <wlr/types/wlr_xcursor_manager.h>
 #include <wlr/util/log.h>
@@ -20,7 +22,6 @@
 #include "rootston/text_input.h"
 #include "rootston/xcursor.h"
 
-
 static void handle_keyboard_key(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data) {
 	struct roots_keyboard *keyboard =
 		wl_container_of(listener, keyboard, keyboard_key);
@@ -536,6 +537,22 @@ static void roots_seat_handle_new_drag_icon(struct wl_listener *listener,
 	roots_drag_icon_update_position(icon);
 }
 
+static void roots_seat_handle_request_set_selection(
+		struct wl_listener *listener, void *data) {
+	struct roots_seat *seat =
+		wl_container_of(listener, seat, request_set_selection);
+	struct wlr_seat_request_set_selection_event *event = data;
+	wlr_seat_set_selection(seat->seat, event->source, event->serial);
+}
+
+static void roots_seat_handle_request_set_primary_selection(
+		struct wl_listener *listener, void *data) {
+	struct roots_seat *seat =
+		wl_container_of(listener, seat, request_set_primary_selection);
+	struct wlr_seat_request_set_primary_selection_event *event = data;
+	wlr_seat_set_primary_selection(seat->seat, event->source, event->serial);
+}
+
 void roots_drag_icon_update_position(struct roots_drag_icon *icon) {
 	roots_drag_icon_damage_whole(icon);
 
@@ -621,6 +638,14 @@ struct roots_seat *roots_seat_create(struct roots_input *input, char *name) {
 
 	wl_list_insert(&input->seats, &seat->link);
 
+	seat->request_set_selection.notify =
+		roots_seat_handle_request_set_selection;
+	wl_signal_add(&seat->seat->events.request_set_selection,
+		&seat->request_set_selection);
+	seat->request_set_primary_selection.notify =
+		roots_seat_handle_request_set_primary_selection;
+	wl_signal_add(&seat->seat->events.request_set_primary_selection,
+		&seat->request_set_primary_selection);
 	seat->new_drag_icon.notify = roots_seat_handle_new_drag_icon;
 	wl_signal_add(&seat->seat->events.new_drag_icon, &seat->new_drag_icon);
 	seat->destroy.notify = roots_seat_handle_destroy;
diff --git a/types/data_device/wlr_data_device.c b/types/data_device/wlr_data_device.c
index cda755b1..30f7d035 100644
--- a/types/data_device/wlr_data_device.c
+++ b/types/data_device/wlr_data_device.c
@@ -32,13 +32,13 @@ static void data_device_set_selection(struct wl_client *client,
 		source = client_data_source_from_resource(source_resource);
 	}
 
-	struct wlr_data_source *wlr_source =
-		source != NULL ? &source->source : NULL;
-	wlr_seat_set_selection(seat_client->seat, wlr_source, serial);
-
 	if (source != NULL) {
 		source->finalized = true;
 	}
+
+	struct wlr_data_source *wlr_source =
+		source != NULL ? &source->source : NULL;
+	wlr_seat_request_set_selection(seat_client->seat, wlr_source, serial);
 }
 
 static void data_device_start_drag(struct wl_client *client,
@@ -116,7 +116,23 @@ void wlr_seat_client_send_selection(struct wlr_seat_client *seat_client) {
 	}
 }
 
-static void seat_client_selection_source_destroy(
+void wlr_seat_request_set_selection(struct wlr_seat *seat,
+		struct wlr_data_source *source, uint32_t serial) {
+	if (seat->selection_source &&
+			seat->selection_serial - serial < UINT32_MAX / 2) {
+		wlr_log(WLR_DEBUG, "Rejecting set_selection request, invalid serial "
+			"(%"PRIu32" <= %"PRIu32")", serial, seat->selection_serial);
+		return;
+	}
+
+	struct wlr_seat_request_set_selection_event event = {
+		.source = source,
+		.serial = serial,
+	};
+	wlr_signal_emit_safe(&seat->events.request_set_selection, &event);
+}
+
+static void seat_handle_selection_source_destroy(
 		struct wl_listener *listener, void *data) {
 	struct wlr_seat *seat =
 		wl_container_of(listener, seat, selection_source_destroy);
@@ -132,16 +148,11 @@ static void seat_client_selection_source_destroy(
 		}
 	}
 
-	wlr_signal_emit_safe(&seat->events.selection, seat);
+	wlr_signal_emit_safe(&seat->events.set_selection, seat);
 }
 
 void wlr_seat_set_selection(struct wlr_seat *seat,
 		struct wlr_data_source *source, uint32_t serial) {
-	if (seat->selection_source &&
-			seat->selection_serial - serial < UINT32_MAX / 2) {
-		return;
-	}
-
 	if (seat->selection_source) {
 		wl_list_remove(&seat->selection_source_destroy.link);
 		wlr_data_source_cancel(seat->selection_source);
@@ -153,19 +164,18 @@ void wlr_seat_set_selection(struct wlr_seat *seat,
 
 	struct wlr_seat_client *focused_client =
 		seat->keyboard_state.focused_client;
-
 	if (focused_client) {
 		wlr_seat_client_send_selection(focused_client);
 	}
 
-	wlr_signal_emit_safe(&seat->events.selection, seat);
-
 	if (source) {
 		seat->selection_source_destroy.notify =
-			seat_client_selection_source_destroy;
+			seat_handle_selection_source_destroy;
 		wl_signal_add(&source->events.destroy,
 			&seat->selection_source_destroy);
 	}
+
+	wlr_signal_emit_safe(&seat->events.set_selection, seat);
 }
 
 
diff --git a/types/seat/wlr_seat.c b/types/seat/wlr_seat.c
index 67ffd38a..c2503658 100644
--- a/types/seat/wlr_seat.c
+++ b/types/seat/wlr_seat.c
@@ -274,8 +274,10 @@ struct wlr_seat *wlr_seat_create(struct wl_display *display, const char *name) {
 
 	wl_signal_init(&seat->events.request_set_cursor);
 
-	wl_signal_init(&seat->events.selection);
-	wl_signal_init(&seat->events.primary_selection);
+	wl_signal_init(&seat->events.request_set_selection);
+	wl_signal_init(&seat->events.set_selection);
+	wl_signal_init(&seat->events.request_set_primary_selection);
+	wl_signal_init(&seat->events.set_primary_selection);
 
 	wl_signal_init(&seat->events.pointer_grab_begin);
 	wl_signal_init(&seat->events.pointer_grab_end);
diff --git a/types/wlr_data_control_v1.c b/types/wlr_data_control_v1.c
index 9812220c..930675c3 100644
--- a/types/wlr_data_control_v1.c
+++ b/types/wlr_data_control_v1.c
@@ -184,9 +184,8 @@ static void control_handle_set_selection(struct wl_client *client,
 	}
 
 	struct wlr_data_source *wlr_source = source ? &source->source : NULL;
-	struct wl_display *display = wl_client_get_display(client);
-	wlr_seat_set_selection(device->seat, wlr_source,
-		wl_display_next_serial(display));
+	wlr_seat_request_set_selection(device->seat, wlr_source,
+		wl_display_next_serial(device->seat->display));
 }
 
 static void control_handle_destroy(struct wl_client *client,
@@ -232,10 +231,10 @@ static void control_handle_seat_destroy(struct wl_listener *listener,
 	wlr_data_control_device_v1_destroy(device);
 }
 
-static void control_handle_seat_selection(struct wl_listener *listener,
+static void control_handle_seat_set_selection(struct wl_listener *listener,
 		void *data) {
 	struct wlr_data_control_device_v1 *device =
-		wl_container_of(listener, device, seat_selection);
+		wl_container_of(listener, device, seat_set_selection);
 	control_send_selection(device);
 }
 
@@ -250,7 +249,7 @@ void wlr_data_control_device_v1_destroy(struct wlr_data_control_device_v1 *devic
 		wl_resource_set_user_data(device->selection_offer_resource, NULL);
 	}
 	wl_list_remove(&device->seat_destroy.link);
-	wl_list_remove(&device->seat_selection.link);
+	wl_list_remove(&device->seat_set_selection.link);
 	wl_list_remove(&device->link);
 	free(device);
 }
@@ -319,8 +318,9 @@ static void manager_handle_get_data_device(struct wl_client *client,
 	device->seat_destroy.notify = control_handle_seat_destroy;
 	wl_signal_add(&device->seat->events.destroy, &device->seat_destroy);
 
-	device->seat_selection.notify = control_handle_seat_selection;
-	wl_signal_add(&device->seat->events.selection, &device->seat_selection);
+	device->seat_set_selection.notify = control_handle_seat_set_selection;
+	wl_signal_add(&device->seat->events.set_selection,
+		&device->seat_set_selection);
 
 	wl_list_insert(&manager->devices, &device->link);
 	wlr_signal_emit_safe(&manager->events.new_device, device);
diff --git a/types/wlr_gtk_primary_selection.c b/types/wlr_gtk_primary_selection.c
index 91b192cd..6c2e3f43 100644
--- a/types/wlr_gtk_primary_selection.c
+++ b/types/wlr_gtk_primary_selection.c
@@ -208,7 +208,7 @@ static void device_handle_set_selection(struct wl_client *client,
 		source = &client_source->source;
 	}
 
-	wlr_seat_set_primary_selection(device->seat, source, serial);
+	wlr_seat_request_set_primary_selection(device->seat, source, serial);
 }
 
 static void device_handle_destroy(struct wl_client *client,
@@ -272,10 +272,10 @@ static void device_handle_seat_focus_change(struct wl_listener *listener,
 	device_send_selection(device);
 }
 
-static void device_handle_seat_primary_selection(struct wl_listener *listener,
-		void *data) {
+static void device_handle_seat_set_primary_selection(
+		struct wl_listener *listener, void *data) {
 	struct wlr_gtk_primary_selection_device *device =
-		wl_container_of(listener, device, seat_primary_selection);
+		wl_container_of(listener, device, seat_set_primary_selection);
 
 	struct wl_resource *resource, *tmp;
 	wl_resource_for_each_safe(resource, tmp, &device->offers) {
@@ -314,10 +314,10 @@ static struct wlr_gtk_primary_selection_device *get_or_create_device(
 	wl_signal_add(&seat->keyboard_state.events.focus_change,
 		&device->seat_focus_change);
 
-	device->seat_primary_selection.notify =
-		device_handle_seat_primary_selection;
-	wl_signal_add(&seat->events.primary_selection,
-		&device->seat_primary_selection);
+	device->seat_set_primary_selection.notify =
+		device_handle_seat_set_primary_selection;
+	wl_signal_add(&seat->events.set_primary_selection,
+		&device->seat_set_primary_selection);
 
 	return device;
 }
@@ -329,7 +329,7 @@ static void device_destroy(struct wlr_gtk_primary_selection_device *device) {
 	wl_list_remove(&device->link);
 	wl_list_remove(&device->seat_destroy.link);
 	wl_list_remove(&device->seat_focus_change.link);
-	wl_list_remove(&device->seat_primary_selection.link);
+	wl_list_remove(&device->seat_set_primary_selection.link);
 	struct wl_resource *resource, *resource_tmp;
 	wl_resource_for_each_safe(resource, resource_tmp, &device->offers) {
 		destroy_offer(resource);
diff --git a/types/wlr_primary_selection.c b/types/wlr_primary_selection.c
index be8b014d..9b33d362 100644
--- a/types/wlr_primary_selection.c
+++ b/types/wlr_primary_selection.c
@@ -41,13 +41,30 @@ void wlr_primary_selection_source_send(
 }
 
 
+void wlr_seat_request_set_primary_selection(struct wlr_seat *seat,
+		struct wlr_primary_selection_source *source, uint32_t serial) {
+	if (seat->primary_selection_source &&
+			seat->primary_selection_serial - serial < UINT32_MAX / 2) {
+		wlr_log(WLR_DEBUG, "Rejecting set_primary_selection request, "
+			"invalid serial (%"PRIu32" <= %"PRIu32")",
+			serial, seat->primary_selection_serial);
+		return;
+	}
+
+	struct wlr_seat_request_set_primary_selection_event event = {
+		.source = source,
+		.serial = serial,
+	};
+	wlr_signal_emit_safe(&seat->events.request_set_primary_selection, &event);
+}
+
 static void seat_handle_primary_selection_source_destroy(
 		struct wl_listener *listener, void *data) {
 	struct wlr_seat *seat =
 		wl_container_of(listener, seat, primary_selection_source_destroy);
 	wl_list_remove(&seat->primary_selection_source_destroy.link);
 	seat->primary_selection_source = NULL;
-	wlr_signal_emit_safe(&seat->events.primary_selection, seat);
+	wlr_signal_emit_safe(&seat->events.set_primary_selection, seat);
 }
 
 void wlr_seat_set_primary_selection(struct wlr_seat *seat,
@@ -75,5 +92,5 @@ void wlr_seat_set_primary_selection(struct wlr_seat *seat,
 			&seat->primary_selection_source_destroy);
 	}
 
-	wlr_signal_emit_safe(&seat->events.primary_selection, seat);
+	wlr_signal_emit_safe(&seat->events.set_primary_selection, seat);
 }
diff --git a/xwayland/selection/incoming.c b/xwayland/selection/incoming.c
index 79197e60..e3f68ea7 100644
--- a/xwayland/selection/incoming.c
+++ b/xwayland/selection/incoming.c
@@ -350,7 +350,7 @@ static void xwm_selection_get_targets(struct wlr_xwm_selection *selection) {
 		bool ok = source_get_targets(selection, &source->base.mime_types,
 			&source->mime_types_atoms);
 		if (ok) {
-			wlr_seat_set_selection(xwm->seat, &source->base,
+			wlr_seat_request_set_selection(xwm->seat, &source->base,
 				wl_display_next_serial(xwm->xwayland->wl_display));
 		} else {
 			wlr_data_source_cancel(&source->base);
@@ -425,10 +425,10 @@ int xwm_handle_xfixes_selection_notify(struct wlr_xwm *xwm,
 			// A real X client selection went away, not our
 			// proxy selection
 			if (selection == &xwm->clipboard_selection) {
-				wlr_seat_set_selection(xwm->seat, NULL,
+				wlr_seat_request_set_selection(xwm->seat, NULL,
 					wl_display_next_serial(xwm->xwayland->wl_display));
 			} else if (selection == &xwm->primary_selection) {
-				wlr_seat_set_primary_selection(xwm->seat, NULL,
+				wlr_seat_request_set_primary_selection(xwm->seat, NULL,
 					wl_display_next_serial(xwm->xwayland->wl_display));
 			} else if (selection == &xwm->dnd_selection) {
 				// TODO: DND
diff --git a/xwayland/selection/selection.c b/xwayland/selection/selection.c
index dee7f9c3..a8cb5df4 100644
--- a/xwayland/selection/selection.c
+++ b/xwayland/selection/selection.c
@@ -255,11 +255,11 @@ static void xwm_selection_set_owner(struct wlr_xwm_selection *selection,
 	}
 }
 
-static void seat_handle_selection(struct wl_listener *listener,
+static void handle_seat_set_selection(struct wl_listener *listener,
 		void *data) {
 	struct wlr_seat *seat = data;
 	struct wlr_xwm *xwm =
-		wl_container_of(listener, xwm, seat_selection);
+		wl_container_of(listener, xwm, seat_set_selection);
 	struct wlr_data_source *source = seat->selection_source;
 
 	if (source != NULL && data_source_is_xwayland(source)) {
@@ -269,11 +269,11 @@ static void seat_handle_selection(struct wl_listener *listener,
 	xwm_selection_set_owner(&xwm->clipboard_selection, source != NULL);
 }
 
-static void seat_handle_primary_selection(struct wl_listener *listener,
+static void handle_seat_set_primary_selection(struct wl_listener *listener,
 		void *data) {
 	struct wlr_seat *seat = data;
 	struct wlr_xwm *xwm =
-		wl_container_of(listener, xwm, seat_primary_selection);
+		wl_container_of(listener, xwm, seat_set_primary_selection);
 	struct wlr_primary_selection_source *source =
 		seat->primary_selection_source;
 
@@ -294,8 +294,8 @@ static void seat_handle_start_drag(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data) {
 
 void xwm_set_seat(struct wlr_xwm *xwm, struct wlr_seat *seat) {
 	if (xwm->seat != NULL) {
-		wl_list_remove(&xwm->seat_selection.link);
-		wl_list_remove(&xwm->seat_primary_selection.link);
+		wl_list_remove(&xwm->seat_set_selection.link);
+		wl_list_remove(&xwm->seat_set_primary_selection.link);
 		wl_list_remove(&xwm->seat_start_drag.link);
 		xwm->seat = NULL;
 	}
@@ -306,13 +306,14 @@ void xwm_set_seat(struct wlr_xwm *xwm, struct wlr_seat *seat) {
 
 	xwm->seat = seat;
 
-	wl_signal_add(&seat->events.selection, &xwm->seat_selection);
-	xwm->seat_selection.notify = seat_handle_selection;
-	wl_signal_add(&seat->events.primary_selection, &xwm->seat_primary_selection);
-	xwm->seat_primary_selection.notify = seat_handle_primary_selection;
+	wl_signal_add(&seat->events.set_selection, &xwm->seat_set_selection);
+	xwm->seat_set_selection.notify = handle_seat_set_selection;
+	wl_signal_add(&seat->events.set_primary_selection,
+		&xwm->seat_set_primary_selection);
+	xwm->seat_set_primary_selection.notify = handle_seat_set_primary_selection;
 	wl_signal_add(&seat->events.start_drag, &xwm->seat_start_drag);
 	xwm->seat_start_drag.notify = seat_handle_start_drag;
 
-	seat_handle_selection(&xwm->seat_selection, seat);
-	seat_handle_primary_selection(&xwm->seat_primary_selection, seat);
+	handle_seat_set_selection(&xwm->seat_set_selection, seat);
+	handle_seat_set_primary_selection(&xwm->seat_set_primary_selection, seat);
 }