diff --git a/backend/backend.c b/backend/backend.c
index f8fa45c4..16ad309f 100644
--- a/backend/backend.c
+++ b/backend/backend.c
@@ -208,21 +208,6 @@ static size_t parse_outputs_env(const char *name) {
 	return outputs;
 }
 
-static struct wlr_backend *ensure_backend_renderer_and_allocator(
-		struct wlr_backend *backend) {
-	struct wlr_renderer *renderer = wlr_backend_get_renderer(backend);
-	if (renderer == NULL) {
-		wlr_backend_destroy(backend);
-		return NULL;
-	}
-	struct wlr_allocator *allocator = backend_get_allocator(backend);
-	if (allocator == NULL) {
-		wlr_backend_destroy(backend);
-		return NULL;
-	}
-	return backend;
-}
-
 static struct wlr_backend *attempt_wl_backend(struct wl_display *display) {
 	struct wlr_backend *backend = wlr_wl_backend_create(display, NULL);
 	if (backend == NULL) {
@@ -234,7 +219,7 @@ static struct wlr_backend *attempt_wl_backend(struct wl_display *display) {
 		wlr_wl_output_create(backend);
 	}
 
-	return ensure_backend_renderer_and_allocator(backend);
+	return backend;
 }
 
 #if WLR_HAS_X11_BACKEND
@@ -250,7 +235,7 @@ static struct wlr_backend *attempt_x11_backend(struct wl_display *display,
 		wlr_x11_output_create(backend);
 	}
 
-	return ensure_backend_renderer_and_allocator(backend);
+	return backend;
 }
 #endif
 
@@ -266,7 +251,7 @@ static struct wlr_backend *attempt_headless_backend(
 		wlr_headless_add_output(backend, 1280, 720);
 	}
 
-	return ensure_backend_renderer_and_allocator(backend);
+	return backend;
 }
 
 static struct wlr_backend *attempt_noop_backend(struct wl_display *display) {
@@ -320,7 +305,7 @@ static struct wlr_backend *attempt_drm_backend(struct wl_display *display,
 		return NULL;
 	}
 
-	return ensure_backend_renderer_and_allocator(primary_drm);
+	return backend;
 }
 #endif