diff --git a/types/wlr_output_damage.c b/types/wlr_output_damage.c
index b0655a65..e49df016 100644
--- a/types/wlr_output_damage.c
+++ b/types/wlr_output_damage.c
@@ -52,7 +52,11 @@ static void output_handle_precommit(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data) {
 	if (output->pending.committed & WLR_OUTPUT_STATE_BUFFER) {
 		// TODO: find a better way to access this info without a precommit
 		// handler
-		output_damage->pending_buffer_type = output->pending.buffer_type;
+		if (output->back_buffer != NULL) {
+			output_damage->pending_buffer_type = WLR_OUTPUT_STATE_BUFFER_RENDER;
+		} else {
+			output_damage->pending_buffer_type = output->pending.buffer_type;
+		}
 	}
 }