Minimized windows keep a floating layout
Pull request 15442, merged into quattro, keeps a floating layout when the last window on that workspace is minimized, so the dock can still bring it back. The merge is not in version 4.0.4.
Minimizing the last window on a floating workspace hid the dock, which the pull request says is the only way to bring that window back. Minimize moves the window off the workspace, so the one it left reports zero windows, and a workspace with zero windows was treated as empty. Changing the default then deleted its saved floating layout.
The merged change tags each window with the workspace it left, and a workspace stays on its floating layout while a window tagged from it is still minimized. Windows minimized before this change carry no tag, and the pull request says they are not recovered. If the client list cannot be read, a layout change refuses rather than guessing.