diff --git a/gtk/gtkeventcontroller.c b/gtk/gtkeventcontroller.c
index c0b828f029..c532a0b3ea 100644
--- a/gtk/gtkeventcontroller.c
+++ b/gtk/gtkeventcontroller.c
@@ -171,7 +171,7 @@ gtk_event_controller_class_init (GtkEventControllerClass *klass)
                                                       P_("Propagation phase at which this controller is run"),
                                                       GTK_TYPE_PROPAGATION_PHASE,
                                                       GTK_PHASE_NONE,
-                                                      GTK_PARAM_READWRITE));
+                                                      GTK_PARAM_READWRITE|G_PARAM_EXPLICIT_NOTIFY));
 }
 
 static void