diff --git a/mako/config b/mako/config
index 2587d6d..9be34d8 100644
--- a/mako/config
+++ b/mako/config
@@ -6,3 +6,10 @@ default-timeout=4000
 
 [mode=do-not-disturb]
 invisible=1
+
+# The volume OSD must survive both gamemode effects: DND (which gamemode-session
+# turns on) would hide it, and niri draws fullscreen windows above the top layer.
+# Listed after [mode=do-not-disturb] so it wins over invisible=1.
+[app-name=volume-osd]
+invisible=0
+layer=overlay
diff --git a/scripts/volume.sh b/scripts/volume.sh
index 8e4d9c7..12e26c4 100755
--- a/scripts/volume.sh
+++ b/scripts/volume.sh
@@ -8,13 +8,15 @@ case "${1:-}" in
 esac
 
 if [ "$(pamixer --get-mute)" = "true" ]; then
-    notify-send -h string:x-canonical-private-synchronous:volume \
+    notify-send -a volume-osd \
+                -h string:x-canonical-private-synchronous:volume \
                 -h int:value:0 \
                 -t 1500 \
                 "Muted"
 else
     LEVEL=$(pamixer --get-volume)
-    notify-send -h string:x-canonical-private-synchronous:volume \
+    notify-send -a volume-osd \
+                -h string:x-canonical-private-synchronous:volume \
                 -h int:value:"$LEVEL" \
                 -t 1500 \
                 "Volume: ${LEVEL}%"