diff --git a/src/backend/wayland/wayland.c b/src/backend/wayland/wayland.c
index 2a5a218..6154664 100644
--- a/src/backend/wayland/wayland.c
+++ b/src/backend/wayland/wayland.c
@@ -1083,10 +1083,8 @@ static void MwLLSetXYImpl(MwLL handle, int x, int y) {
 		break;
 	case MwLL_WAYLAND_SUBLEVEL:
 	{
-		/* sublevels are drawn according to their own x/y */
-		MwLL topmost_parent = handle;
-		while(topmost_parent->wayland.parent) topmost_parent = topmost_parent->wayland.parent;
-		MwLLForceRender(topmost_parent);
+		if(handle->wayland.parent)
+			MwLLForceRender(handle->wayland.parent);
 		break;
 	}
 	case MwLL_WAYLAND_POPUP: