diff --git a/guake/prefs.py b/guake/prefs.py
index 1ecc3a56e..26869ff1e 100644
--- a/guake/prefs.py
+++ b/guake/prefs.py
@@ -536,8 +536,14 @@ def on_font_style_font_set(self, fbtn):
         self.settings.styleFont.set_string("style", fbtn.get_font_name())
 
     def on_background_image_file_chooser_file_changed(self, fc):
+        # only allow files with these extensions
+        allowed_extensions = (".jpg", ".jpeg", ".png", ".gif")
+        filename = ""
+        if fc.get_filename() and fc.get_filename().endswith(allowed_extensions):
+            filename = fc.get_filename()
+
         self.settings.general.set_string(
-            "background-image-file", fc.get_filename() if fc.get_filename() else ""
+            "background-image-file", filename
         )
 
     def on_background_image_file_remove_clicked(self, btn):
diff --git a/releasenotes/notes/prevent_nonimage_file_as_background-9f2d4e6b8c7a0a5e.yaml b/releasenotes/notes/prevent_nonimage_file_as_background-9f2d4e6b8c7a0a5e.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..2416fcd15
--- /dev/null
+++ b/releasenotes/notes/prevent_nonimage_file_as_background-9f2d4e6b8c7a0a5e.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+release_summary: >
+  Prevent the use of non-image files as the background image. The following file extensions are allowed: .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .gif
+
+
+fixes:
+  - |
+
+      - Prevent users from setting non-image files as a background image, closes #2205