diff --git a/composite.h b/composite.h
--- a/composite.h
+++ b/composite.h
@@ -143,16 +143,6 @@
         return m_scene;
     }
 
-    /**
-     * @brief Checks whether the Compositor has already been created by the Workspace.
-     *
-     * This method can be used to check whether self will return the Compositor instance or @c null.
-     *
-     * @return bool @c true if the Compositor has been created, @c false otherwise
-     **/
-    static bool isCreated() {
-        return s_compositor != NULL;
-    }
     /**
      * @brief Static check to test whether the Compositor is available and active.
      *
diff --git a/thumbnailitem.cpp b/thumbnailitem.cpp
--- a/thumbnailitem.cpp
+++ b/thumbnailitem.cpp
@@ -41,7 +41,6 @@
     , m_saturation(1.0)
     , m_clipToItem()
 {
-    Q_ASSERT(Compositor::isCreated());
     connect(Compositor::self(), SIGNAL(compositingToggled(bool)), SLOT(compositingToggled()));
     compositingToggled();
     QTimer::singleShot(0, this, SLOT(init()));