diff --git a/Lib/webbrowser.py b/Lib/webbrowser.py
index d036355c1c4..5b441e6ecc0 100644
--- a/Lib/webbrowser.py
+++ b/Lib/webbrowser.py
@@ -448,6 +448,14 @@ def open(self, url, new=0, autoraise=True):
 
 def register_X_browsers():
 
+    # use xdg-open if around
+    if _iscommand("xdg-open"):
+        register("xdg-open", None, BackgroundBrowser("xdg-open"))
+
+    # The default GNOME3 browser
+    if "GNOME_DESKTOP_SESSION_ID" in os.environ and _iscommand("gvfs-open"):
+        register("gvfs-open", None, BackgroundBrowser("gvfs-open"))
+
     # The default GNOME browser
     if "GNOME_DESKTOP_SESSION_ID" in os.environ and _iscommand("gnome-open"):
         register("gnome-open", None, BackgroundBrowser("gnome-open"))
diff --git a/Misc/NEWS b/Misc/NEWS
index 0c3438a7d5b..723e6ffc523 100644
--- a/Misc/NEWS
+++ b/Misc/NEWS
@@ -29,6 +29,8 @@ Library
   a multiprocessing Client or Listener with an AF_PIPE type address under
   non-Windows platforms.  Patch by Popa Claudiu.
 
+- Issue #14493: Use gvfs-open/xdg-open in Lib/webbrowser.py.
+
 
 What's New in Python 3.3.0 Alpha 2?
 ===================================