diff --git a/dot_config/sway/config b/dot_config/sway/config
index 78c6aa9..8335036 100644
--- a/dot_config/sway/config
+++ b/dot_config/sway/config
@@ -250,5 +250,8 @@ bindsym XF86AudioNext exec playerctl next
 bindsym XF86AudioPrev exec playerctl previous
 bindsym XF86Search exec bemenu-run
 
+# used to let GUI apps authorize elevated access in sway
+exec /usr/lib/polkit-1/polkitd
+
 include /etc/sway/config.d/*