Desktop files disappear when external monitor is connected via HDMI

Desktop files disappear when external monitor is connected via HDMI

MBP 2019 running 11.6.8

I have an Anker hub plugged in the USB-C connection when the external monitor is plugged in the files on the Desktop disappear. As soon as I unplug the external monitor the files reappear.

When the external monitor is plugged in I got to the finder and see the contents of the Desktop folder is empty. If I drop to my terminal I can see all the files in my ~/Desktop directory just fine. This purely a cosmetic issue.

If I boot in safe mode I experience the same behavior.

reset finder does not help

reboot does not help

no icloud for filesystem including desktop

Any ideas on this?

Cheers