diff --git a/toplevel.cpp b/toplevel.cpp
index fec43e7059..401b2e7247 100644
--- a/toplevel.cpp
+++ b/toplevel.cpp
@@ -26,7 +26,9 @@ Toplevel::Toplevel( Workspace* ws )
     , frame( None )
     , wspace( ws )
     , window_pix( None )
+#ifdef HAVE_XDAMAGE
     , damage_handle( None )
+#endif
     , is_shape( false )
     , effect_window( NULL )
     , wmClientLeaderWin( 0 )
@@ -35,7 +37,9 @@ Toplevel::Toplevel( Workspace* ws )
 
 Toplevel::~Toplevel()
     {
+#ifdef HAVE_XDAMAGE
     assert( damage_handle == None );
+#endif
     discardWindowPixmap();
     delete info;
     }
@@ -100,7 +104,9 @@ void Toplevel::copyToDeleted( Toplevel* c )
     frame = c->frame;
     wspace = c->wspace;
     window_pix = c->window_pix;
+#ifdef HAVE_XDAMAGE
     damage_handle = None;
+#endif
     damage_region = c->damage_region;
     repaints_region = c->repaints_region;
     is_shape = c->is_shape;