diff --git a/dwl.c b/dwl.c
index dc0c861..19eaf71 100644
--- a/dwl.c
+++ b/dwl.c
@@ -2436,7 +2436,8 @@ setup(void)
 				wlr_linux_dmabuf_v1_create_with_renderer(dpy, 5, drw));
 	}
 
-	if ((drm_fd = wlr_renderer_get_drm_fd(drw)) >= 0 && drw->features.timeline)
+	if ((drm_fd = wlr_renderer_get_drm_fd(drw)) >= 0 && drw->features.timeline
+			&& backend->features.timeline)
 		wlr_linux_drm_syncobj_manager_v1_create(dpy, 1, drm_fd);
 
 	/* Autocreates an allocator for us.