diff --git a/include/input_state.h b/include/input_state.h
index d87ae18c..dd5d71a8 100644
--- a/include/input_state.h
+++ b/include/input_state.h
@@ -65,6 +65,8 @@ extern struct pointer_state {
 	int mode;
 } pointer_state;
 
+void pointer_position_set(struct wlc_origin *new_origin, bool force_focus);
+
 // on button release unset mode depending on the button.
 // on button press set mode conditionally depending on the button
 void pointer_mode_set(uint32_t button, bool condition);
diff --git a/sway/handlers.c b/sway/handlers.c
index cb342f69..e1612dc1 100644
--- a/sway/handlers.c
+++ b/sway/handlers.c
@@ -332,27 +332,7 @@ static bool handle_pointer_motion(wlc_handle handle, uint32_t time, const struct
 		}
 	}
 
-	// Update pointer origin
-	pointer_state.delta.x = origin->x - pointer_state.origin.x;
-	pointer_state.delta.y = origin->y - pointer_state.origin.y;
-	pointer_state.origin.x = origin->x;
-	pointer_state.origin.y = origin->y;
-
-	// Update view under pointer
-	swayc_t *prev_view = pointer_state.view;
-	pointer_state.view = container_under_pointer();
-
-	// If pointer is in a mode, update it
-	if (pointer_state.mode) {
-		pointer_mode_update();
-	}
-	// Otherwise change focus if config is set an
-	else if (prev_view != pointer_state.view && config->focus_follows_mouse) {
-		if (pointer_state.view && pointer_state.view->type == C_VIEW) {
-			set_focused_container(pointer_state.view);
-		}
-	}
-	wlc_pointer_set_origin(&new_origin);
+	pointer_position_set(&new_origin, false);
 	return EVENT_PASSTHROUGH;
 }
 
diff --git a/sway/input_state.c b/sway/input_state.c
index 2743a9ea..bd46a5ac 100644
--- a/sway/input_state.c
+++ b/sway/input_state.c
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 #include <stdbool.h>
 #include <ctype.h>
 #include "log.h"
+#include "config.h"
 
 #include "input_state.h"
 
@@ -161,6 +162,29 @@ static void reset_initial_sibling(void) {
 	pointer_state.mode = 0;
 }
 
+void pointer_position_set(struct wlc_origin *new_origin, bool force_focus) {
+	pointer_state.delta.x = new_origin->x - pointer_state.origin.x;
+	pointer_state.delta.y = new_origin->y - pointer_state.origin.y;
+	pointer_state.origin.x = new_origin->x;
+	pointer_state.origin.y = new_origin->y;
+
+	// Update view under pointer
+	swayc_t *prev_view = pointer_state.view;
+	pointer_state.view = container_under_pointer();
+
+	// If pointer is in a mode, update it
+	if (pointer_state.mode) {
+		pointer_mode_update();
+	// Otherwise change focus if config is set
+	} else if (force_focus || (prev_view != pointer_state.view && config->focus_follows_mouse)) {
+		if (pointer_state.view && pointer_state.view->type == C_VIEW) {
+			set_focused_container(pointer_state.view);
+		}
+	}
+
+	wlc_pointer_set_origin(new_origin);
+}
+
 // Mode set left/right click
 
 static void pointer_mode_set_left(void) {