diff --git a/src/main/dock.js b/src/main/dock.js
index 2d17a296..a6f36525 100644
--- a/src/main/dock.js
+++ b/src/main/dock.js
@@ -30,12 +30,11 @@ function downloadFinished (path) {
 }
 
 /**
- * Display string in dock badging area. (OS X)
+ * Display a counter badge for the app. (OS X, Linux)
  */
-function setBadge (text) {
-  if (!app.dock) return
-  log(`setBadge: ${text}`)
-  app.dock.setBadge(String(text))
+function setBadge (count) {
+  log(`setBadge: ${count}`)
+  app.setBadgeCount(Number(count))
 }
 
 function getMenuTemplate () {
diff --git a/src/renderer/main.js b/src/renderer/main.js
index 5d108c07..d83295b9 100644
--- a/src/renderer/main.js
+++ b/src/renderer/main.js
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ function updateElectron () {
   }
   if (state.dock.badge !== state.prev.badge) {
     state.prev.badge = state.dock.badge
-    ipcRenderer.send('setBadge', state.dock.badge || '')
+    ipcRenderer.send('setBadge', state.dock.badge || 0)
   }
 }