diff --git a/atom/browser/browser.h b/atom/browser/browser.h
index 5f496b89ee..bdaed5be0f 100644
--- a/atom/browser/browser.h
+++ b/atom/browser/browser.h
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ class Browser : public WindowListObserver {
   bool IsDefaultProtocolClient(const std::string& protocol);
 
   // Set/Get the badge count.
-  void SetBadgeCount(int count);
+  bool SetBadgeCount(int count);
   int GetBadgeCount();
 
 #if defined(OS_MACOSX)
diff --git a/atom/browser/browser_linux.cc b/atom/browser/browser_linux.cc
index ff48e5bed0..e2f968613b 100644
--- a/atom/browser/browser_linux.cc
+++ b/atom/browser/browser_linux.cc
@@ -47,9 +47,14 @@ bool Browser::IsDefaultProtocolClient(const std::string& protocol) {
   return false;
 }
 
-void Browser::SetBadgeCount(int count) {
-  current_badge_count_ = count;
-  unity::SetDownloadCount(count);
+bool Browser::SetBadgeCount(int count) {
+  if (IsUnityRunning()) {
+    unity::SetDownloadCount(count);
+    current_badge_count_ = count;
+    return true;
+  } else {
+    return false;
+  }
 }
 
 std::string Browser::GetExecutableFileVersion() const {
diff --git a/atom/browser/browser_mac.mm b/atom/browser/browser_mac.mm
index ebd225c599..a02034097a 100644
--- a/atom/browser/browser_mac.mm
+++ b/atom/browser/browser_mac.mm
@@ -115,9 +115,10 @@ bool Browser::IsDefaultProtocolClient(const std::string& protocol) {
 void Browser::SetAppUserModelID(const base::string16& name) {
 }
 
-void Browser::SetBadgeCount(int count) {
+bool Browser::SetBadgeCount(int count) {
+  DockSetBadgeText(count != 0 ? base::IntToString(count) : "");
   current_badge_count_ = count;
-  DockSetBadgeText(count == 0 ? base::IntToString(count) : "");
+  return true;
 }
 
 void Browser::SetUserActivity(const std::string& type,
diff --git a/atom/browser/browser_win.cc b/atom/browser/browser_win.cc
index e49e3b4cee..5eb9275dcf 100644
--- a/atom/browser/browser_win.cc
+++ b/atom/browser/browser_win.cc
@@ -269,8 +269,8 @@ bool Browser::IsDefaultProtocolClient(const std::string& protocol) {
   }
 }
 
-void Browser::SetBadgeCount(int count) {
-  current_badge_count_ = count;
+bool Browser::SetBadgeCount(int count) {
+  return false;
 }
 
 PCWSTR Browser::GetAppUserModelID() {
diff --git a/docs/api/app.md b/docs/api/app.md
index 128300f53a..2a640de75e 100644
--- a/docs/api/app.md
+++ b/docs/api/app.md
@@ -582,7 +582,7 @@ This method can only be called before app is ready.
 * `count` Integer
 
 Sets the counter badge for current app. Setting the count to `0` will hide the
-badge.
+badge. Returns `true` when the call succeeded, otherwise returns `false`.
 
 On macOS it shows on the dock icon. On Linux it only works for Unity launcher,
 
diff --git a/spec/api-app-spec.js b/spec/api-app-spec.js
index 4d27755d27..44d4ddd019 100644
--- a/spec/api-app-spec.js
+++ b/spec/api-app-spec.js
@@ -285,10 +285,17 @@ describe('app module', function () {
     })
   })
 
-  describe('app.getBadgeCount API', function () {
+  describe('app.setBadgeCount API', function () {
+    const shouldFail = process.platform === 'win32' ||
+                       (process.platform === 'linux' && app.isUnityRunning())
+
+    it('returns false when failed', function () {
+      assert.equal(app.setBadgeCount(42), !shouldFail)
+    })
+
     it('should set a badge count', function () {
       app.setBadgeCount(42)
-      assert.equal(app.getBadgeCount(), 42)
+      assert.equal(app.getBadgeCount(), shouldFail ? 0 : 42)
     })
   })
 })