diff --git a/backends/hwcomposer/hwcomposer_backend.cpp b/backends/hwcomposer/hwcomposer_backend.cpp
index 87f6a2f5e0..691749e6f4 100644
--- a/backends/hwcomposer/hwcomposer_backend.cpp
+++ b/backends/hwcomposer/hwcomposer_backend.cpp
@@ -28,6 +28,8 @@ along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 #include <KWayland/Server/display.h>
 #include <KWayland/Server/output_interface.h>
 #include <KWayland/Server/seat_interface.h>
+// Qt
+#include <QTimer>
 // hybris/android
 #include <hardware/hardware.h>
 #include <hardware/hwcomposer.h>
@@ -41,8 +43,12 @@ namespace KWin
 
 HwcomposerBackend::HwcomposerBackend(QObject *parent)
     : AbstractBackend(parent)
+    , m_vsyncFailSafeTimer(new QTimer(this))
 {
     handleOutputs();
+    m_vsyncFailSafeTimer->setSingleShot(true);
+    m_vsyncFailSafeTimer->setInterval(1000);
+    connect(m_vsyncFailSafeTimer, &QTimer::timeout, this, &HwcomposerBackend::vsync);
 }
 
 HwcomposerBackend::~HwcomposerBackend()
@@ -192,12 +198,14 @@ void HwcomposerBackend::present()
     }
     m_pageFlipPending = true;
     if (Compositor::self()) {
+        m_vsyncFailSafeTimer->start();
         Compositor::self()->aboutToSwapBuffers();
     }
 }
 
 void HwcomposerBackend::vsync()
 {
+    m_vsyncFailSafeTimer->stop();
     if (m_pageFlipPending) {
         m_pageFlipPending = false;
         if (Compositor::self()) {
diff --git a/backends/hwcomposer/hwcomposer_backend.h b/backends/hwcomposer/hwcomposer_backend.h
index 2e1633aef4..ca3da143ac 100644
--- a/backends/hwcomposer/hwcomposer_backend.h
+++ b/backends/hwcomposer/hwcomposer_backend.h
@@ -32,6 +32,8 @@ typedef struct hwc_composer_device_1 hwc_composer_device_1_t;
 
 class HWComposerNativeWindowBuffer;
 
+class QTimer;
+
 namespace KWin
 {
 
@@ -76,6 +78,7 @@ private:
     bool m_outputBlank = true;
     bool m_pageFlipPending = false;
     int m_refreshRate = 60000;
+    QTimer *m_vsyncFailSafeTimer;
 };
 
 class HwcomposerWindow : public HWComposerNativeWindow