diff --git a/scene.cpp b/scene.cpp
index 2ab7d55e27..22d09eaeb0 100644
--- a/scene.cpp
+++ b/scene.cpp
@@ -1078,7 +1078,7 @@ void WindowPixmap::create()
     if (kwinApp()->shouldUseWaylandForCompositing()) {
         // use Buffer
         update();
-        if ((m_buffer || !m_fbo.isNull()) && m_subSurface.isNull()) {
+        if (!isRoot() && isValid()) {
             m_window->unreferencePreviousPixmap();
         }
         return;
@@ -1185,6 +1185,11 @@ bool WindowPixmap::isValid() const
     return m_pixmap != XCB_PIXMAP_NONE;
 }
 
+bool WindowPixmap::isRoot() const
+{
+    return !m_parent;
+}
+
 KWaylandServer::SurfaceInterface *WindowPixmap::surface() const
 {
     if (!m_subSurface.isNull()) {
diff --git a/scene.h b/scene.h
index b5a4e21f8b..635570f38e 100644
--- a/scene.h
+++ b/scene.h
@@ -424,6 +424,10 @@ public:
      * @return @c true if the pixmap has been created and is valid, @c false otherwise
      */
     virtual bool isValid() const;
+    /**
+     * Returns @c true if this is the root window pixmap; otherwise returns @c false.
+     */
+    bool isRoot() const;
     /**
      * @return The native X11 pixmap handle
      */