Wallpaper settings for multiple monitors reset after disconnecting external display

Hello everyone,

I’m experiencing an issue with wallpaper settings on a dual-monitor setup and would appreciate some help or insights.

Setup:

  • Laptop with built-in display (eDP-1) and an external monitor (DP-3).

  • I use the System Settings → Wallpaper to assign different wallpapers to each screen:

    • Laptop screen: a static image.

    • External monitor: a slideshow (changing images).

  • At first, everything works correctly – each screen shows its designated wallpaper.

Problem:
When I disconnect the external monitor, the laptop screen’s wallpaper changes to the slideshow that was set for the external display. After I reconnect the external monitor, both screens return to their original settings.

Expected behavior:
I would like the laptop screen to keep its static wallpaper even when the external monitor is not connected, and to revert to the dual-screen layout automatically when the monitor is plugged back in.

Questions:

  • Is this a known bug?

  • Is there any way (e.g., a configuration file, a script, or a hidden setting) to force the laptop screen to remember its own wallpaper regardless of the external monitor’s presence?