diff --git a/libkwineffects/kwinglutils.cpp b/libkwineffects/kwinglutils.cpp
index 9db648598f..bd84db725f 100644
--- a/libkwineffects/kwinglutils.cpp
+++ b/libkwineffects/kwinglutils.cpp
@@ -362,7 +362,9 @@ bool GLShader::compile(GLuint program, GLenum shaderType, const QByteArray &sour
 bool GLShader::load(const QByteArray &vertexSource, const QByteArray &fragmentSource)
 {
     // Make sure shaders are actually supported
-    if (!GLPlatform::instance()->supports(GLSL) || GLPlatform::instance()->supports(LimitedNPOT)) {
+    if (!(GLPlatform::instance()->supports(GLSL) &&
+        // we lack shader branching for Texture2DRectangle everywhere - and it's probably not worth it
+        GLPlatform::instance()->supports(TextureNPOT))) {
         qCCritical(LIBKWINGLUTILS) << "Shaders are not supported";
         return false;
     }