diff --git a/kdecore/kernel/kglobal.cpp b/kdecore/kernel/kglobal.cpp
index a030aa8..2ce71a4 100644
--- a/kdecore/kernel/kglobal.cpp
+++ b/kdecore/kernel/kglobal.cpp
@@ -258,6 +258,7 @@ QString KGlobal::caption()
  * the job progress widget with "keep open" checked, etc.
  */
 static int s_refCount = 0;
+static bool s_allowQuit = false;
 
 void KGlobal::ref()
 {
@@ -269,9 +270,14 @@ void KGlobal::deref()
 {
     --s_refCount;
     //kDebug() << "KGlobal::deref() : refCount = " << s_refCount;
-    if (s_refCount <= 0) {
+    if (s_refCount <= 0 && s_allowQuit) {
         QCoreApplication::instance()->quit();
     }
 }
 
+void KGlobal::setAllowQuit(bool allowQuit)
+{
+    s_allowQuit = allowQuit;
+}
+
 #undef PRIVATE_DATA
diff --git a/kdecore/kernel/kglobal.h b/kdecore/kernel/kglobal.h
index 0fee17b..d706741 100644
--- a/kdecore/kernel/kglobal.h
+++ b/kdecore/kernel/kglobal.h
@@ -409,6 +409,16 @@ namespace KGlobal
      * "last window closed" event, but some events should outlive the last window closed
      * (e.g. a file copy for a file manager, or 'compacting folders on exit' for a mail client).
      *
+     * We have some corner cases that we want to take care of (the format is "action refcount"):
+     * - open window -> setAllowQuit(true) 1 ; close window 0 => EXIT
+     * - job start 1; job end 0 [don't exit yet]; open window -> setAllowQuit(true) 1 ; close window 0 => EXIT
+     * - job start 1; open window -> setAllowQuit(true) 2; close window 1; job end 0 => EXIT
+     * - job start 1; open window -> setAllowQuit(true) 2; job end 1; close window 0 => EXIT
+     * - open dialog 0; close dialog 0; => DO NOT EXIT
+     * - job start 1; job end 0; create two main objects 2; delete both main objects 0 => EXIT
+     * - open window -> setAllowQuit(true) 1; add systray icon 2; close window 1 => DO NOT EXIT
+     * - open window -> setAllowQuit(true) 1; add systray icon 2; remove systray icon 1; close window 0 => EXIT
+     *
      * Note that for this to happen you must call qApp->setQuitOnLastWindowClosed(false),
      * in main() for instance.
      */
@@ -421,6 +431,13 @@ namespace KGlobal
     KDECORE_EXPORT void deref();
 
     /**
+     * If refcounting reaches 0 (or less), and @p allowQuit is true, the instance of the application
+     * will automatically be exited. Otherwise, the application will not exit automatically.
+     * @since 4.2
+     */
+    KDECORE_EXPORT void setAllowQuit(bool allowQuit);
+
+    /**
      * The component currently active (useful in a multi-component
      * application, such as a KParts application).
      * Don't use this - it's mainly for KAboutDialog and KBugReport.
diff --git a/kdeui/widgets/kmainwindow.cpp b/kdeui/widgets/kmainwindow.cpp
index 9b87c86..c4b1424 100644
--- a/kdeui/widgets/kmainwindow.cpp
+++ b/kdeui/widgets/kmainwindow.cpp
@@ -226,6 +226,11 @@ void KMainWindowPrivate::init(KMainWindow *_q)
 {
     KGlobal::ref();
 
+    // We set allow quit to true, so when the refcounting reaches 0 the application instance will
+    // be exited. This has a similar purpose than setQuitOnLastWindowClosed (from
+    // QApplication), but it honors (de)refing from KGlobal.
+    KGlobal::setAllowQuit(true);
+
     q = _q;
 
     q->setAnimated(KGlobalSettings::graphicEffectsLevel() & KGlobalSettings::SimpleAnimationEffects);