diff --git a/autotests/integration/kwin_wayland_test.cpp b/autotests/integration/kwin_wayland_test.cpp
index 77bf19939d..de4111aa7a 100644
--- a/autotests/integration/kwin_wayland_test.cpp
+++ b/autotests/integration/kwin_wayland_test.cpp
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 #include "inputmethod.h"
 #include "platform.h"
 #include "pluginmanager.h"
+#include "session.h"
 #include "utils/xcbutils.h"
 #include "wayland_server.h"
 #include "workspace.h"
@@ -68,6 +69,7 @@ WaylandTestApplication::WaylandTestApplication(OperationMode mode, int &argc, ch
     removeLibraryPath(ownPath);
     addLibraryPath(ownPath);
 
+    setSession(Session::create(Session::Type::Noop));
     setPlatform(std::make_unique<VirtualBackend>());
     WaylandServer::create(this);
     setProcessStartupEnvironment(QProcessEnvironment::systemEnvironment());
diff --git a/src/backends/drm/drm_backend.cpp b/src/backends/drm/drm_backend.cpp
index d8f8cc02e1..f54d8b1fb3 100644
--- a/src/backends/drm/drm_backend.cpp
+++ b/src/backends/drm/drm_backend.cpp
@@ -78,11 +78,11 @@ static QStringList splitPathList(const QString &input, const QChar delimiter)
     return ret;
 }
 
-DrmBackend::DrmBackend(QObject *parent)
+DrmBackend::DrmBackend(Session *session, QObject *parent)
     : Platform(parent)
     , m_udev(std::make_unique<Udev>())
     , m_udevMonitor(m_udev->monitor())
-    , m_session(Session::create())
+    , m_session(session)
     , m_explicitGpus(splitPathList(qEnvironmentVariable("KWIN_DRM_DEVICES"), ':'))
     , m_dpmsFilter()
 {
@@ -93,16 +93,16 @@ DrmBackend::DrmBackend(QObject *parent)
 
 DrmBackend::~DrmBackend() = default;
 
+Session *DrmBackend::session() const
+{
+    return m_session;
+}
+
 bool DrmBackend::isActive() const
 {
     return m_active;
 }
 
-Session *DrmBackend::session() const
-{
-    return m_session.get();
-}
-
 Outputs DrmBackend::outputs() const
 {
     return m_outputs;
@@ -196,17 +196,17 @@ void DrmBackend::deactivate()
 bool DrmBackend::initialize()
 {
     // TODO: Pause/Resume individual GPU devices instead.
-    connect(session(), &Session::devicePaused, this, [this](dev_t deviceId) {
+    connect(m_session, &Session::devicePaused, this, [this](dev_t deviceId) {
         if (primaryGpu()->deviceId() == deviceId) {
             deactivate();
         }
     });
-    connect(session(), &Session::deviceResumed, this, [this](dev_t deviceId) {
+    connect(m_session, &Session::deviceResumed, this, [this](dev_t deviceId) {
         if (primaryGpu()->deviceId() == deviceId) {
             reactivate();
         }
     });
-    connect(session(), &Session::awoke, this, &DrmBackend::turnOutputsOn);
+    connect(m_session, &Session::awoke, this, &DrmBackend::turnOutputsOn);
 
     if (!m_explicitGpus.isEmpty()) {
         for (const QString &fileName : m_explicitGpus) {
@@ -280,7 +280,7 @@ void DrmBackend::handleUdevEvent()
 
 DrmGpu *DrmBackend::addGpu(const QString &fileName)
 {
-    int fd = session()->openRestricted(fileName);
+    int fd = m_session->openRestricted(fileName);
     if (fd < 0) {
         qCWarning(KWIN_DRM) << "failed to open drm device at" << fileName;
         return nullptr;
@@ -290,7 +290,7 @@ DrmGpu *DrmBackend::addGpu(const QString &fileName)
     drmModeRes *resources = drmModeGetResources(fd);
     if (!resources) {
         qCDebug(KWIN_DRM) << "Skipping KMS incapable drm device node at" << fileName;
-        session()->closeRestricted(fd);
+        m_session->closeRestricted(fd);
         return nullptr;
     }
     drmModeFreeResources(resources);
@@ -298,7 +298,7 @@ DrmGpu *DrmBackend::addGpu(const QString &fileName)
     struct stat buf;
     if (fstat(fd, &buf) == -1) {
         qCDebug(KWIN_DRM, "Failed to fstat %s: %s", qPrintable(fileName), strerror(errno));
-        session()->closeRestricted(fd);
+        m_session->closeRestricted(fd);
         return nullptr;
     }
 
@@ -549,7 +549,7 @@ void DrmBackend::enableOutput(DrmAbstractOutput *output, bool enable)
 
 std::unique_ptr<InputBackend> DrmBackend::createInputBackend()
 {
-    return std::make_unique<LibinputBackend>(session());
+    return std::make_unique<LibinputBackend>(m_session);
 }
 
 std::unique_ptr<QPainterBackend> DrmBackend::createQPainterBackend()
diff --git a/src/backends/drm/drm_backend.h b/src/backends/drm/drm_backend.h
index 8f7f1396db..70794cc155 100644
--- a/src/backends/drm/drm_backend.h
+++ b/src/backends/drm/drm_backend.h
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ struct gbm_bo;
 namespace KWin
 {
 
+class Session;
 class Udev;
 class UdevMonitor;
 class UdevDevice;
@@ -39,16 +40,17 @@ class KWIN_EXPORT DrmBackend : public Platform
     Q_OBJECT
 
 public:
-    explicit DrmBackend(QObject *parent = nullptr);
+    explicit DrmBackend(Session *session, QObject *parent = nullptr);
     ~DrmBackend() override;
 
+    Session *session() const;
+
     std::unique_ptr<InputBackend> createInputBackend() override;
     std::unique_ptr<QPainterBackend> createQPainterBackend() override;
     std::unique_ptr<OpenGLBackend> createOpenGLBackend() override;
 
     std::optional<DmaBufParams> testCreateDmaBuf(const QSize &size, quint32 format, const QVector<uint64_t> &modifiers) override;
     std::shared_ptr<DmaBufTexture> createDmaBufTexture(const QSize &size, quint32 format, const uint64_t modifier) override;
-    Session *session() const override;
     bool initialize() override;
 
     Outputs outputs() const override;
@@ -100,7 +102,7 @@ private:
 
     std::unique_ptr<Udev> m_udev;
     std::unique_ptr<UdevMonitor> m_udevMonitor;
-    std::unique_ptr<Session> m_session;
+    Session *m_session;
     // all outputs, enabled and disabled
     QVector<DrmAbstractOutput *> m_outputs;
     // only enabled outputs
diff --git a/src/backends/virtual/virtual_backend.cpp b/src/backends/virtual/virtual_backend.cpp
index e594ac27af..aaf0113fa1 100644
--- a/src/backends/virtual/virtual_backend.cpp
+++ b/src/backends/virtual/virtual_backend.cpp
@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@
 #include "virtual_backend.h"
 
 #include "composite.h"
-#include "session.h"
 #include "virtual_egl_backend.h"
 #include "virtual_output.h"
 #include "virtual_qpainter_backend.h"
@@ -21,7 +20,6 @@ namespace KWin
 
 VirtualBackend::VirtualBackend(QObject *parent)
     : Platform(parent)
-    , m_session(Session::create(Session::Type::Noop))
 {
     if (qEnvironmentVariableIsSet("KWIN_WAYLAND_VIRTUAL_SCREENSHOTS")) {
         m_screenshotDir.reset(new QTemporaryDir);
@@ -45,11 +43,6 @@ VirtualBackend::~VirtualBackend()
     }
 }
 
-Session *VirtualBackend::session() const
-{
-    return m_session.get();
-}
-
 bool VirtualBackend::initialize()
 {
     /*
diff --git a/src/backends/virtual/virtual_backend.h b/src/backends/virtual/virtual_backend.h
index 06ce0b5eb5..1d91880af5 100644
--- a/src/backends/virtual/virtual_backend.h
+++ b/src/backends/virtual/virtual_backend.h
@@ -30,7 +30,6 @@ public:
     VirtualBackend(QObject *parent = nullptr);
     ~VirtualBackend() override;
 
-    Session *session() const override;
     bool initialize() override;
 
     bool saveFrames() const
@@ -67,7 +66,6 @@ private:
     QVector<VirtualOutput *> m_outputs;
     QVector<VirtualOutput *> m_outputsEnabled;
     std::unique_ptr<QTemporaryDir> m_screenshotDir;
-    std::unique_ptr<Session> m_session;
 };
 
 } // namespace KWin
diff --git a/src/backends/wayland/wayland_backend.cpp b/src/backends/wayland/wayland_backend.cpp
index f8f24fd663..05b035538e 100644
--- a/src/backends/wayland/wayland_backend.cpp
+++ b/src/backends/wayland/wayland_backend.cpp
@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@
 #include <gbm.h>
 #endif
 #include "renderloop_p.h"
-#include "session.h"
 #include "wayland_logging.h"
 #include "wayland_output.h"
 #include "wayland_qpainter_backend.h"
@@ -568,7 +567,6 @@ void WaylandSeat::destroyTouchDevice()
 
 WaylandBackend::WaylandBackend(QObject *parent)
     : Platform(parent)
-    , m_session(Session::create(Session::Type::Noop))
     , m_display(nullptr)
     , m_eventQueue(new EventQueue(this))
     , m_registry(new Registry(this))
@@ -710,11 +708,6 @@ bool WaylandBackend::initialize()
     return true;
 }
 
-Session *WaylandBackend::session() const
-{
-    return m_session.get();
-}
-
 void WaylandBackend::initConnection()
 {
     connect(
diff --git a/src/backends/wayland/wayland_backend.h b/src/backends/wayland/wayland_backend.h
index edc9930ab5..f975e907f8 100644
--- a/src/backends/wayland/wayland_backend.h
+++ b/src/backends/wayland/wayland_backend.h
@@ -252,7 +252,6 @@ public:
     explicit WaylandBackend(QObject *parent = nullptr);
     ~WaylandBackend() override;
     bool initialize() override;
-    Session *session() const override;
     wl_display *display();
     KWayland::Client::Compositor *compositor();
     KWayland::Client::SubCompositor *subCompositor();
@@ -330,7 +329,6 @@ private:
 
     WaylandOutput *createOutput(const QString &name, const QPoint &position, const QSize &size);
 
-    std::unique_ptr<Session> m_session;
     wl_display *m_display;
     KWayland::Client::EventQueue *m_eventQueue;
     KWayland::Client::Registry *m_registry;
diff --git a/src/backends/x11/standalone/x11_standalone_platform.cpp b/src/backends/x11/standalone/x11_standalone_platform.cpp
index f55a190578..1fd32053ee 100644
--- a/src/backends/x11/standalone/x11_standalone_platform.cpp
+++ b/src/backends/x11/standalone/x11_standalone_platform.cpp
@@ -100,7 +100,6 @@ bool XrandrEventFilter::event(xcb_generic_event_t *event)
 
 X11StandalonePlatform::X11StandalonePlatform(QObject *parent)
     : Platform(parent)
-    , m_session(Session::create(Session::Type::Noop))
     , m_updateOutputsTimer(new QTimer(this))
     , m_x11Display(QX11Info::display())
     , m_renderLoop(std::make_unique<RenderLoop>())
@@ -154,11 +153,6 @@ bool X11StandalonePlatform::initialize()
     return true;
 }
 
-Session *X11StandalonePlatform::session() const
-{
-    return m_session.get();
-}
-
 std::unique_ptr<OpenGLBackend> X11StandalonePlatform::createOpenGLBackend()
 {
     switch (options->glPlatformInterface()) {
diff --git a/src/backends/x11/standalone/x11_standalone_platform.h b/src/backends/x11/standalone/x11_standalone_platform.h
index 230a7a14c1..e0db42ab32 100644
--- a/src/backends/x11/standalone/x11_standalone_platform.h
+++ b/src/backends/x11/standalone/x11_standalone_platform.h
@@ -35,7 +35,6 @@ public:
     X11StandalonePlatform(QObject *parent = nullptr);
     ~X11StandalonePlatform() override;
     bool initialize() override;
-    Session *session() const override;
 
     std::unique_ptr<OpenGLBackend> createOpenGLBackend() override;
     Edge *createScreenEdge(ScreenEdges *parent) override;
@@ -86,7 +85,6 @@ private:
     void updateRefreshRate();
     void updateCursor();
 
-    std::unique_ptr<Session> m_session;
     std::unique_ptr<XInputIntegration> m_xinputIntegration;
     QThread *m_openGLFreezeProtectionThread = nullptr;
     QTimer *m_openGLFreezeProtection = nullptr;
diff --git a/src/backends/x11/windowed/x11_windowed_backend.cpp b/src/backends/x11/windowed/x11_windowed_backend.cpp
index b709d3ff8e..ab26578d3d 100644
--- a/src/backends/x11/windowed/x11_windowed_backend.cpp
+++ b/src/backends/x11/windowed/x11_windowed_backend.cpp
@@ -11,7 +11,6 @@
 
 #include <config-kwin.h>
 
-#include "session.h"
 #include "utils/xcbutils.h"
 #include "wayland_server.h"
 #include "x11_windowed_egl_backend.h"
@@ -164,7 +163,6 @@ void X11WindowedInputBackend::initialize()
 
 X11WindowedBackend::X11WindowedBackend(QObject *parent)
     : Platform(parent)
-    , m_session(Session::create(Session::Type::Noop))
 {
     setSupportsPointerWarping(true);
 }
@@ -234,11 +232,6 @@ bool X11WindowedBackend::initialize()
     }
 }
 
-Session *X11WindowedBackend::session() const
-{
-    return m_session.get();
-}
-
 void X11WindowedBackend::initXInput()
 {
 #if HAVE_X11_XINPUT
diff --git a/src/backends/x11/windowed/x11_windowed_backend.h b/src/backends/x11/windowed/x11_windowed_backend.h
index 38bc3b0a53..c2e23bfd45 100644
--- a/src/backends/x11/windowed/x11_windowed_backend.h
+++ b/src/backends/x11/windowed/x11_windowed_backend.h
@@ -88,7 +88,6 @@ public:
     X11WindowedBackend(QObject *parent = nullptr);
     ~X11WindowedBackend() override;
     bool initialize() override;
-    Session *session() const override;
 
     xcb_connection_t *connection() const
     {
@@ -151,7 +150,6 @@ private:
     void initXInput();
     X11WindowedOutput *findOutput(xcb_window_t window) const;
 
-    std::unique_ptr<Session> m_session;
     xcb_connection_t *m_connection = nullptr;
     xcb_screen_t *m_screen = nullptr;
     xcb_key_symbols_t *m_keySymbols = nullptr;
diff --git a/src/colors/colormanager.cpp b/src/colors/colormanager.cpp
index 79e7e6f9f4..de54d6598c 100644
--- a/src/colors/colormanager.cpp
+++ b/src/colors/colormanager.cpp
@@ -25,7 +25,6 @@ ColorManager::ColorManager()
     : d(std::make_unique<ColorManagerPrivate>())
 {
     Platform *platform = kwinApp()->platform();
-    Session *session = platform->session();
 
     const QVector<Output *> outputs = platform->enabledOutputs();
     for (Output *output : outputs) {
@@ -34,7 +33,7 @@ ColorManager::ColorManager()
 
     connect(platform, &Platform::outputEnabled, this, &ColorManager::handleOutputEnabled);
     connect(platform, &Platform::outputDisabled, this, &ColorManager::handleOutputDisabled);
-    connect(session, &Session::activeChanged, this, &ColorManager::handleSessionActiveChanged);
+    connect(kwinApp()->session(), &Session::activeChanged, this, &ColorManager::handleSessionActiveChanged);
 }
 
 ColorManager::~ColorManager() = default;
diff --git a/src/input.cpp b/src/input.cpp
index 925ee08d24..44aec4f23c 100644
--- a/src/input.cpp
+++ b/src/input.cpp
@@ -316,7 +316,7 @@ public:
         if (event->type() == QEvent::KeyPress && !event->isAutoRepeat()) {
             const xkb_keysym_t keysym = event->nativeVirtualKey();
             if (keysym >= XKB_KEY_XF86Switch_VT_1 && keysym <= XKB_KEY_XF86Switch_VT_12) {
-                kwinApp()->platform()->session()->switchTo(keysym - XKB_KEY_XF86Switch_VT_1 + 1);
+                kwinApp()->session()->switchTo(keysym - XKB_KEY_XF86Switch_VT_1 + 1);
                 return true;
             }
         }
@@ -2846,7 +2846,7 @@ private:
 void InputRedirection::setupInputFilters()
 {
     const bool hasGlobalShortcutSupport = waylandServer()->hasGlobalShortcutSupport();
-    if ((kwinApp()->platform()->session()->capabilities() & Session::Capability::SwitchTerminal)
+    if ((kwinApp()->session()->capabilities() & Session::Capability::SwitchTerminal)
         && hasGlobalShortcutSupport) {
         installInputEventFilter(new VirtualTerminalFilter);
     }
diff --git a/src/main.cpp b/src/main.cpp
index 5582ab871a..c13ddc85a3 100644
--- a/src/main.cpp
+++ b/src/main.cpp
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@
 #if KWIN_BUILD_SCREENLOCKER
 #include "screenlockerwatcher.h"
 #endif
+#include "session.h"
 #include "sm.h"
 #include "utils/xcbutils.h"
 #include "wayland/surface_interface.h"
@@ -125,6 +126,7 @@ Application::~Application()
     destroyColorManager();
     destroyAtoms();
     destroyPlatform();
+    m_session.reset();
 }
 
 void Application::notifyStarted()
@@ -553,6 +555,12 @@ void Application::setPlatform(std::unique_ptr<Platform> &&platform)
     m_platform = std::move(platform);
 }
 
+void Application::setSession(std::unique_ptr<Session> &&session)
+{
+    Q_ASSERT(!m_session);
+    m_session = std::move(session);
+}
+
 PluginManager *Application::pluginManager() const
 {
     return m_pluginManager.get();
diff --git a/src/main.h b/src/main.h
index 70cb3f6449..49f9b76744 100644
--- a/src/main.h
+++ b/src/main.h
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ namespace KWin
 {
 
 class Platform;
+class Session;
 class X11EventFilter;
 class PluginManager;
 class InputMethod;
@@ -228,6 +229,12 @@ public:
     }
     void setPlatform(std::unique_ptr<Platform> &&platform);
 
+    Session *session() const
+    {
+        return m_session.get();
+    }
+    void setSession(std::unique_ptr<Session> &&session);
+
     bool isTerminating() const
     {
         return m_terminating;
@@ -297,6 +304,7 @@ private:
 #if KWIN_BUILD_ACTIVITIES
     bool m_useKActivities = true;
 #endif
+    std::unique_ptr<Session> m_session;
     std::unique_ptr<Platform> m_platform;
     bool m_terminating = false;
     qreal m_xwaylandScale = 1;
diff --git a/src/main_wayland.cpp b/src/main_wayland.cpp
index 05f621d957..07256d13bc 100644
--- a/src/main_wayland.cpp
+++ b/src/main_wayland.cpp
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
 #include "effects.h"
 #include "inputmethod.h"
 #include "platform.h"
+#include "session.h"
 #include "tabletmodemanager.h"
 #include "utils/realtime.h"
 #include "wayland/display.h"
@@ -542,15 +543,23 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 
     switch (backendType) {
     case BackendType::Kms:
-        a.setPlatform(std::make_unique<KWin::DrmBackend>());
+        a.setSession(KWin::Session::create());
+        if (!a.session()) {
+            std::cerr << "FATAl ERROR: could not acquire a session" << std::endl;
+            return 1;
+        }
+        a.setPlatform(std::make_unique<KWin::DrmBackend>(a.session()));
         break;
     case BackendType::Virtual:
+        a.setSession(KWin::Session::create(KWin::Session::Type::Noop));
         a.setPlatform(std::make_unique<KWin::VirtualBackend>());
         break;
     case BackendType::X11:
+        a.setSession(KWin::Session::create(KWin::Session::Type::Noop));
         a.setPlatform(std::make_unique<KWin::X11WindowedBackend>());
         break;
     case BackendType::Wayland:
+        a.setSession(KWin::Session::create(KWin::Session::Type::Noop));
         a.setPlatform(std::make_unique<KWin::Wayland::WaylandBackend>());
         break;
     }
diff --git a/src/main_x11.cpp b/src/main_x11.cpp
index 0acf1c95d8..cef3d2a12c 100644
--- a/src/main_x11.cpp
+++ b/src/main_x11.cpp
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 
 #include "backends/x11/standalone/x11_standalone_platform.h"
 #include "platform.h"
+#include "session.h"
 #include "sm.h"
 #include "tabletmodemanager.h"
 #include "utils/xcbutils.h"
@@ -410,6 +411,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
         exit(1);
     }
 
+    a.setSession(KWin::Session::create(KWin::Session::Type::Noop));
     a.setPlatform(std::make_unique<KWin::X11StandalonePlatform>());
     a.start();
 
diff --git a/src/platform.h b/src/platform.h
index 727a4e9b4b..41f1c1574e 100644
--- a/src/platform.h
+++ b/src/platform.h
@@ -42,7 +42,6 @@ class OutlineVisual;
 class QPainterBackend;
 class Scene;
 class ScreenEdges;
-class Session;
 class OutputConfiguration;
 struct DmaBufParams;
 
@@ -64,7 +63,6 @@ class KWIN_EXPORT Platform : public QObject
 public:
     ~Platform() override;
 
-    virtual Session *session() const = 0;
     virtual bool initialize() = 0;
     virtual std::unique_ptr<InputBackend> createInputBackend();
     virtual std::unique_ptr<OpenGLBackend> createOpenGLBackend();
diff --git a/src/plugins/nightcolor/nightcolormanager.cpp b/src/plugins/nightcolor/nightcolormanager.cpp
index a192ae76fa..75edd6fa5e 100644
--- a/src/plugins/nightcolor/nightcolormanager.cpp
+++ b/src/plugins/nightcolor/nightcolormanager.cpp
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ NightColorManager::NightColorManager()
 
     connect(kwinApp()->colorManager(), &ColorManager::deviceAdded, this, &NightColorManager::hardReset);
 
-    connect(kwinApp()->platform()->session(), &Session::activeChanged, this, [this](bool active) {
+    connect(kwinApp()->session(), &Session::activeChanged, this, [this](bool active) {
         if (active) {
             hardReset();
         } else {
diff --git a/src/utils/udev.cpp b/src/utils/udev.cpp
index 17fc2de7c2..02dec3960e 100644
--- a/src/utils/udev.cpp
+++ b/src/utils/udev.cpp
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ std::vector<UdevDevice::Ptr> UdevEnumerate::find()
         if (deviceSeat.isEmpty()) {
             deviceSeat = defaultSeat;
         }
-        if (deviceSeat != kwinApp()->platform()->session()->seat()) {
+        if (deviceSeat != kwinApp()->session()->seat()) {
             continue;
         }
         vect.push_back(std::move(device));