diff --git a/src/native/tray.ts b/src/native/tray.ts
index a91ffe6..5174224 100644
--- a/src/native/tray.ts
+++ b/src/native/tray.ts
@@ -10,6 +10,8 @@ import { getThemeFiles, getActiveTheme, applyTheme, cycleTheme, reloadTheme, ope
 
 // internal tray state
 let tray: Tray = null;
+// Keep strong reference to prevent garbage collection on Linux
+let trayIcon: Electron.NativeImage;
 
 // Create and resize tray icon for macOS
 function createTrayIcon() {
@@ -17,10 +19,11 @@ function createTrayIcon() {
     const image = nativeImage.createFromDataURL(macOsTrayIconAsset);
     const resized = image.resize({ width: 20, height: 20 });
     resized.setTemplateImage(true);
-    return resized;
+    trayIcon = resized;
   } else {
-    return nativeImage.createFromDataURL(trayIconAsset);
+    trayIcon = nativeImage.createFromDataURL(trayIconAsset);
   }
+  return trayIcon;
 }
 
 export function initTray() {