diff --git a/urwid/main_loop.py b/urwid/main_loop.py
index 10ea5e1..59252bf 100755
--- a/urwid/main_loop.py
+++ b/urwid/main_loop.py
@@ -130,10 +130,11 @@ class MainLoop(object):
             event_loop = SelectEventLoop()
         self.event_loop = event_loop
 
-        if hasattr(self.screen, 'signal_handler_setter'):
-            # Tell the screen what function it must use to set
-            # signal handlers
-            self.screen.signal_handler_setter = self.event_loop.set_signal_handler
+        # disabled to work around outdated GLib version in org.freedesktop.Platform
+        # if hasattr(self.screen, 'signal_handler_setter'):
+        #     # Tell the screen what function it must use to set
+        #     # signal handlers
+        #     self.screen.signal_handler_setter = self.event_loop.set_signal_handler
 
         self._watch_pipes = {}