diff --git a/backend/drm/drm.c b/backend/drm/drm.c
index 53d49d17..47423dcb 100644
--- a/backend/drm/drm.c
+++ b/backend/drm/drm.c
@@ -334,7 +334,67 @@ static bool drm_connector_attach_render(struct wlr_output *output,
 	return make_drm_surface_current(&conn->crtc->primary->surf, buffer_age);
 }
 
+static uint32_t strip_alpha_channel(uint32_t format) {
+	switch (format) {
+	case DRM_FORMAT_ARGB8888:
+		return DRM_FORMAT_XRGB8888;
+	default:
+		return DRM_FORMAT_INVALID;
+	}
+}
+
+static bool test_buffer(struct wlr_drm_connector *conn,
+		struct wlr_buffer *wlr_buffer) {
+	struct wlr_output *output = &conn->output;
+	struct wlr_drm_backend *drm = get_drm_backend_from_backend(output->backend);
+
+	if (!drm->session->active) {
+		return false;
+	}
+
+	struct wlr_drm_crtc *crtc = conn->crtc;
+	if (!crtc) {
+		return false;
+	}
+
+	struct wlr_dmabuf_attributes attribs;
+	if (!wlr_buffer_get_dmabuf(wlr_buffer, &attribs)) {
+		return false;
+	}
+
+	if (attribs.flags != 0) {
+		return false;
+	}
+	if (attribs.width != output->width || attribs.height != output->height) {
+		return false;
+	}
+
+	if (!wlr_drm_format_set_has(&crtc->primary->formats,
+			attribs.format, attribs.modifier)) {
+		// The format isn't supported by the plane. Try stripping the alpha
+		// channel, if any.
+		uint32_t format = strip_alpha_channel(attribs.format);
+		if (format != DRM_FORMAT_INVALID && wlr_drm_format_set_has(
+				&crtc->primary->formats, format, attribs.modifier)) {
+			attribs.format = format;
+		} else {
+			return false;
+		}
+	}
+
+	return true;
+}
+
 static bool drm_connector_test(struct wlr_output *output) {
+	struct wlr_drm_connector *conn = get_drm_connector_from_output(output);
+
+	if ((output->pending.committed & WLR_OUTPUT_STATE_BUFFER) &&
+			output->pending.buffer_type == WLR_OUTPUT_STATE_BUFFER_SCANOUT) {
+		if (!test_buffer(conn, output->pending.buffer)) {
+			return false;
+		}
+	}
+
 	return true;
 }
 
@@ -377,8 +437,13 @@ static bool drm_connector_commit_buffer(struct wlr_output *output) {
 			return false;
 		}
 		break;
-	case WLR_OUTPUT_STATE_BUFFER_SCANOUT:
-		bo = import_gbm_bo(&drm->renderer, &conn->pending_dmabuf);
+	case WLR_OUTPUT_STATE_BUFFER_SCANOUT:;
+		struct wlr_dmabuf_attributes attribs;
+		if (!wlr_buffer_get_dmabuf(output->pending.buffer, &attribs)) {
+			return false;
+		}
+
+		bo = import_gbm_bo(&drm->renderer, &attribs);
 		if (bo == NULL) {
 			wlr_log(WLR_ERROR, "import_gbm_bo failed");
 			return false;
@@ -1011,57 +1076,6 @@ static bool drm_connector_move_cursor(struct wlr_output *output,
 	return ok;
 }
 
-static uint32_t strip_alpha_channel(uint32_t format) {
-	switch (format) {
-	case DRM_FORMAT_ARGB8888:
-		return DRM_FORMAT_XRGB8888;
-	default:
-		return DRM_FORMAT_INVALID;
-	}
-}
-
-static bool drm_connector_attach_buffer(struct wlr_output *output,
-		struct wlr_buffer *buffer) {
-	struct wlr_drm_connector *conn = get_drm_connector_from_output(output);
-	struct wlr_drm_backend *drm = get_drm_backend_from_backend(output->backend);
-	if (!drm->session->active) {
-		return false;
-	}
-
-	struct wlr_drm_crtc *crtc = conn->crtc;
-	if (!crtc) {
-		return false;
-	}
-
-	struct wlr_dmabuf_attributes attribs;
-	if (!wlr_buffer_get_dmabuf(buffer, &attribs)) {
-		return false;
-	}
-
-	if (attribs.flags != 0) {
-		return false;
-	}
-	if (attribs.width != output->width || attribs.height != output->height) {
-		return false;
-	}
-
-	if (!wlr_drm_format_set_has(&crtc->primary->formats,
-			attribs.format, attribs.modifier)) {
-		// The format isn't supported by the plane. Try stripping the alpha
-		// channel, if any.
-		uint32_t format = strip_alpha_channel(attribs.format);
-		if (format != DRM_FORMAT_INVALID && wlr_drm_format_set_has(
-				&crtc->primary->formats, format, attribs.modifier)) {
-			attribs.format = format;
-		} else {
-			return false;
-		}
-	}
-
-	memcpy(&conn->pending_dmabuf, &attribs, sizeof(attribs));
-	return true;
-}
-
 static void drm_connector_destroy(struct wlr_output *output) {
 	struct wlr_drm_connector *conn = get_drm_connector_from_output(output);
 	drm_connector_cleanup(conn);
@@ -1081,7 +1095,6 @@ static const struct wlr_output_impl output_impl = {
 	.set_gamma = set_drm_connector_gamma,
 	.get_gamma_size = drm_connector_get_gamma_size,
 	.export_dmabuf = drm_connector_export_dmabuf,
-	.attach_buffer = drm_connector_attach_buffer,
 };
 
 bool wlr_output_is_drm(struct wlr_output *output) {
diff --git a/backend/wayland/output.c b/backend/wayland/output.c
index 1a1835e1..59804dcf 100644
--- a/backend/wayland/output.c
+++ b/backend/wayland/output.c
@@ -127,20 +127,35 @@ static const struct wl_buffer_listener buffer_listener = {
 	.release = buffer_handle_release,
 };
 
-static struct wlr_wl_buffer *create_wl_buffer(struct wlr_wl_backend *wl,
+static bool test_buffer(struct wlr_wl_backend *wl,
 		struct wlr_buffer *wlr_buffer,
 		int required_width, int required_height) {
 	struct wlr_dmabuf_attributes attribs;
 	if (!wlr_buffer_get_dmabuf(wlr_buffer, &attribs)) {
-		return NULL;
+		return false;
 	}
 
 	if (attribs.width != required_width || attribs.height != required_height) {
-		return NULL;
+		return false;
 	}
 
 	if (!wlr_drm_format_set_has(&wl->linux_dmabuf_v1_formats,
 			attribs.format, attribs.modifier)) {
+		return false;
+	}
+
+	return true;
+}
+
+static struct wlr_wl_buffer *create_wl_buffer(struct wlr_wl_backend *wl,
+		struct wlr_buffer *wlr_buffer,
+		int required_width, int required_height) {
+	if (!test_buffer(wl, wlr_buffer, required_width, required_height)) {
+		return NULL;
+	}
+
+	struct wlr_dmabuf_attributes attribs;
+	if (!wlr_buffer_get_dmabuf(wlr_buffer, &attribs)) {
 		return NULL;
 	}
 
@@ -180,23 +195,6 @@ static struct wlr_wl_buffer *create_wl_buffer(struct wlr_wl_backend *wl,
 	return buffer;
 }
 
-static bool output_attach_buffer(struct wlr_output *wlr_output,
-		struct wlr_buffer *wlr_buffer) {
-	struct wlr_wl_output *output =
-		get_wl_output_from_output(wlr_output);
-	struct wlr_wl_backend *wl = output->backend;
-
-	struct wlr_wl_buffer *buffer = create_wl_buffer(wl, wlr_buffer,
-		wlr_output->width, wlr_output->height);
-	if (buffer == NULL) {
-		return false;
-	}
-
-	destroy_wl_buffer(output->pending_buffer);
-	output->pending_buffer = buffer;
-	return true;
-}
-
 static bool output_test(struct wlr_output *wlr_output) {
 	if (wlr_output->pending.committed & WLR_OUTPUT_STATE_ENABLED) {
 		wlr_log(WLR_DEBUG, "Cannot disable a Wayland output");
@@ -254,10 +252,14 @@ static bool output_commit(struct wlr_output *wlr_output) {
 				return false;
 			}
 			break;
-		case WLR_OUTPUT_STATE_BUFFER_SCANOUT:
-			assert(output->pending_buffer != NULL);
-			wl_surface_attach(output->surface,
-				output->pending_buffer->wl_buffer, 0, 0);
+		case WLR_OUTPUT_STATE_BUFFER_SCANOUT:;
+			struct wlr_wl_buffer *buffer = create_wl_buffer(output->backend,
+				wlr_output->pending.buffer, wlr_output->width, wlr_output->height);
+			if (buffer == NULL) {
+				return false;
+			}
+
+			wl_surface_attach(output->surface, buffer->wl_buffer, 0, 0);
 
 			if (damage == NULL) {
 				wl_surface_damage_buffer(output->surface,
@@ -273,8 +275,6 @@ static bool output_commit(struct wlr_output *wlr_output) {
 				}
 			}
 			wl_surface_commit(output->surface);
-
-			output->pending_buffer = NULL;
 			break;
 		}
 
@@ -400,8 +400,6 @@ static void output_destroy(struct wlr_output *wlr_output) {
 		presentation_feedback_destroy(feedback);
 	}
 
-	destroy_wl_buffer(output->pending_buffer);
-
 	wlr_egl_destroy_surface(&output->backend->egl, output->egl_surface);
 	wl_egl_window_destroy(output->egl_window);
 	if (output->zxdg_toplevel_decoration_v1) {
@@ -429,7 +427,6 @@ static bool output_move_cursor(struct wlr_output *_output, int x, int y) {
 static const struct wlr_output_impl output_impl = {
 	.destroy = output_destroy,
 	.attach_render = output_attach_render,
-	.attach_buffer  = output_attach_buffer,
 	.test = output_test,
 	.commit = output_commit,
 	.set_cursor = output_set_cursor,
diff --git a/include/backend/drm/drm.h b/include/backend/drm/drm.h
index 5de4a7d1..ffd3138f 100644
--- a/include/backend/drm/drm.h
+++ b/include/backend/drm/drm.h
@@ -128,8 +128,6 @@ struct wlr_drm_connector {
 	struct wl_event_source *retry_pageflip;
 	struct wl_list link;
 
-	// DMA-BUF to be displayed on next commit
-	struct wlr_dmabuf_attributes pending_dmabuf;
 	// Buffer submitted to the kernel but not yet displayed
 	struct wlr_buffer *pending_buffer;
 	struct gbm_bo *pending_bo;
diff --git a/include/backend/wayland.h b/include/backend/wayland.h
index 4e666c3a..9a8a404b 100644
--- a/include/backend/wayland.h
+++ b/include/backend/wayland.h
@@ -72,7 +72,6 @@ struct wlr_wl_output {
 	struct zxdg_toplevel_decoration_v1 *zxdg_toplevel_decoration_v1;
 	struct wl_egl_window *egl_window;
 	EGLSurface egl_surface;
-	struct wlr_wl_buffer *pending_buffer;
 	struct wl_list presentation_feedbacks;
 
 	uint32_t enter_serial;
diff --git a/include/wlr/interfaces/wlr_output.h b/include/wlr/interfaces/wlr_output.h
index c99d0c93..53ff1310 100644
--- a/include/wlr/interfaces/wlr_output.h
+++ b/include/wlr/interfaces/wlr_output.h
@@ -28,7 +28,6 @@ struct wlr_output_impl {
 	size_t (*get_gamma_size)(struct wlr_output *output);
 	bool (*export_dmabuf)(struct wlr_output *output,
 		struct wlr_dmabuf_attributes *attribs);
-	bool (*attach_buffer)(struct wlr_output *output, struct wlr_buffer *buffer);
 };
 
 void wlr_output_init(struct wlr_output *output, struct wlr_backend *backend,
diff --git a/include/wlr/types/wlr_output.h b/include/wlr/types/wlr_output.h
index 0e2954b9..89ad509c 100644
--- a/include/wlr/types/wlr_output.h
+++ b/include/wlr/types/wlr_output.h
@@ -314,8 +314,11 @@ bool wlr_output_attach_render(struct wlr_output *output, int *buffer_age);
 /**
  * Attach a buffer to the output. Compositors should call `wlr_output_commit`
  * to submit the new frame. The output needs to be enabled.
+ *
+ * Not all backends support direct scan-out on all buffers. Compositors can
+ * check whether a buffer is supported by calling `wlr_output_test`.
  */
-bool wlr_output_attach_buffer(struct wlr_output *output,
+void wlr_output_attach_buffer(struct wlr_output *output,
 	struct wlr_buffer *buffer);
 /**
  * Get the preferred format for reading pixels.
diff --git a/types/wlr_output.c b/types/wlr_output.c
index 38df4c9f..dd6ede7a 100644
--- a/types/wlr_output.c
+++ b/types/wlr_output.c
@@ -474,10 +474,30 @@ static void output_state_clear(struct wlr_output_state *state) {
 }
 
 static bool output_basic_test(struct wlr_output *output) {
-	if ((output->pending.committed & WLR_OUTPUT_STATE_BUFFER) &&
-			output->frame_pending) {
-		wlr_log(WLR_DEBUG, "Tried to commit a buffer while a frame is pending");
-		return false;
+	if (output->pending.committed & WLR_OUTPUT_STATE_BUFFER) {
+		if (output->frame_pending) {
+			wlr_log(WLR_DEBUG, "Tried to commit a buffer while a frame is pending");
+			return false;
+		}
+
+		if (output->pending.buffer_type == WLR_OUTPUT_STATE_BUFFER_SCANOUT) {
+			if (output->attach_render_locks > 0) {
+				return false;
+			}
+
+			// If the output has at least one software cursor, refuse to attach the
+			// buffer
+			struct wlr_output_cursor *cursor;
+			wl_list_for_each(cursor, &output->cursors, link) {
+				if (cursor->enabled && cursor->visible &&
+						cursor != output->hardware_cursor) {
+					return false;
+				}
+			}
+
+			// TOOD: check width/height matches the output's, since scaling
+			// isn't supported
+		}
 	}
 
 	bool enabled = output->enabled;
@@ -588,34 +608,12 @@ void wlr_output_rollback(struct wlr_output *output) {
 	output_state_clear(&output->pending);
 }
 
-bool wlr_output_attach_buffer(struct wlr_output *output,
+void wlr_output_attach_buffer(struct wlr_output *output,
 		struct wlr_buffer *buffer) {
-	if (!output->impl->attach_buffer) {
-		return false;
-	}
-	if (output->attach_render_locks > 0) {
-		return false;
-	}
-
-	// If the output has at least one software cursor, refuse to attach the
-	// buffer
-	struct wlr_output_cursor *cursor;
-	wl_list_for_each(cursor, &output->cursors, link) {
-		if (cursor->enabled && cursor->visible &&
-				cursor != output->hardware_cursor) {
-			return false;
-		}
-	}
-
-	if (!output->impl->attach_buffer(output, buffer)) {
-		return false;
-	}
-
 	output_state_clear_buffer(&output->pending);
 	output->pending.committed |= WLR_OUTPUT_STATE_BUFFER;
 	output->pending.buffer_type = WLR_OUTPUT_STATE_BUFFER_SCANOUT;
 	output->pending.buffer = wlr_buffer_lock(buffer);
-	return true;
 }
 
 void wlr_output_send_frame(struct wlr_output *output) {