diff --git a/src/main/ipc/worktree-remote.ts b/src/main/ipc/worktree-remote.ts
index 3e1a1b51b79..846786c30a4 100644
--- a/src/main/ipc/worktree-remote.ts
+++ b/src/main/ipc/worktree-remote.ts
@@ -514,14 +514,16 @@ async function spawnLocalStartupAndSetupTerminals(args: {
           command: setupCommand,
           env: setup.envVars,
           sourceSurfaceVisible: startupTerminal?.surface === 'visible',
-          activate: false
+          activate: false,
+          ...(sequencedStartup.activate === false ? { surfaceOwner: false } : {})
         })
       } else {
         await runtime.createTerminal(`id:${worktree.id}`, {
           title: 'Setup',
           command: setupCommand,
           env: setup.envVars,
-          activate: false
+          activate: false,
+          ...(sequencedStartup.activate === false ? { surfaceOwner: false } : {})
         })
       }
       didSpawnSetup = true
diff --git a/src/main/ipc/worktrees-local-create-flow.test.ts b/src/main/ipc/worktrees-local-create-flow.test.ts
index 1e4a0bb14dd..eb012f4fbb2 100644
--- a/src/main/ipc/worktrees-local-create-flow.test.ts
+++ b/src/main/ipc/worktrees-local-create-flow.test.ts
@@ -655,6 +655,10 @@ describe('registerWorktreeHandlers', () => {
       })
       if (setupScriptLaunchMode === 'new-tab') {
         expect(runtimeStub.createTerminal).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(2)
+        expect(runtimeStub.createTerminal.mock.calls[1][1]).toMatchObject({
+          activate: false,
+          surfaceOwner: false
+        })
         expect(runtimeStub.splitTerminal).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
       } else {
         expect(runtimeStub.createTerminal).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1)
@@ -663,7 +667,8 @@ describe('registerWorktreeHandlers', () => {
           command: 'bash /workspace/repo/.git/orca/setup-runner.sh',
           env: expect.any(Object),
           sourceSurfaceVisible: true,
-          activate: false
+          activate: false,
+          surfaceOwner: false
         })
       }
     }