I think the only way this can happen is while the program is starting you unlock it from launcher. This is before the program has actually started, though it'll start soon.
A good example of this is the software center, as it takes a little longer to start up: Open Ubuntu Software Center While its opening Unlock form Launcher ...Icon is removed, then the Software Center starts without adding the icon back to the launcher ** Changed in: unity Assignee: (unassigned) => Brandon Schaefer (brandontschaefer) ** Changed in: unity (Ubuntu) Assignee: (unassigned) => Brandon Schaefer (brandontschaefer) -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Bugs, which is subscribed to Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/925421 Title: sometimes icons get dropped from the launcher when they should not To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/unity/+bug/925421/+subscriptions -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list ubuntu-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs