diff --git a/appmenus-files/qubes-appmenu-select.desktop b/appmenus-files/qubes-appmenu-select.desktop
index f2561c4..93a6da7 100644
--- a/appmenus-files/qubes-appmenu-select.desktop
+++ b/appmenus-files/qubes-appmenu-select.desktop
@@ -7,4 +7,4 @@ Terminal=false
 Name=%VMNAME%: Add more shortcuts...
 GenericName=%VMNAME%: Add more shortcuts...
 StartupNotify=false
-Categories=System;
+Categories=System;X-Qubes-VM;
diff --git a/appmenus-files/qubes-dispvm-firefox.desktop b/appmenus-files/qubes-dispvm-firefox.desktop
index 449000c..5710012 100644
--- a/appmenus-files/qubes-dispvm-firefox.desktop
+++ b/appmenus-files/qubes-dispvm-firefox.desktop
@@ -7,4 +7,4 @@ Terminal=false
 Name=DispVM: Firefox web browser
 GenericName=DispVM: Web browser
 StartupNotify=false
-Categories=Network;
+Categories=Network;X-Qubes-VM;
diff --git a/appmenus-files/qubes-start.desktop b/appmenus-files/qubes-start.desktop
index a30950b..be55a98 100644
--- a/appmenus-files/qubes-start.desktop
+++ b/appmenus-files/qubes-start.desktop
@@ -7,4 +7,4 @@ Terminal=false
 Name=%VMNAME%: Start
 GenericName=%VMNAME%: Start
 StartupNotify=false
-Categories=System;
+Categories=System;X-Qubes-VM;
diff --git a/appmenus-scripts/qubes-receive-appmenus b/appmenus-scripts/qubes-receive-appmenus
index ab62a2c..75aa0b1 100755
--- a/appmenus-scripts/qubes-receive-appmenus
+++ b/appmenus-scripts/qubes-receive-appmenus
@@ -213,6 +213,9 @@ def create_template(path, values):
         if key in values:
             desktop_entry += "{0}=%VMNAME%: {1}\n".format(key, values[key])
 
+    # force category X-Qubes-VM
+    values["Categories"] = values.get("Categories", "") + "X-Qubes-VM;"
+
     for key in ["Comment", "Categories"]:
         if key in values:
             desktop_entry += "{0}={1}\n".format(key, values[key])