diff --git a/shell/screenpool.h b/shell/screenpool.h
--- a/shell/screenpool.h
+++ b/shell/screenpool.h
@@ -65,6 +65,7 @@
     QHash<QString, int> m_idForConnector;
 
     QTimer m_configSaveTimer;
+    bool m_haveXrandr = false;
     int m_xrandrExtensionOffset;
 };
 
diff --git a/shell/screenpool.cpp b/shell/screenpool.cpp
--- a/shell/screenpool.cpp
+++ b/shell/screenpool.cpp
@@ -45,7 +45,10 @@
     if (KWindowSystem::isPlatformX11()) {
         qApp->installNativeEventFilter(this);
         const xcb_query_extension_reply_t* reply = xcb_get_extension_data(QX11Info::connection(), &xcb_randr_id);
-        m_xrandrExtensionOffset = reply->first_event;
+        if (reply) {
+            m_xrandrExtensionOffset = reply->first_event;
+            m_haveXrandr = true;
+        }
     }
 #endif
 }
@@ -197,6 +200,10 @@
     if (eventType[0] != 'x') {
         return false;
     }
+
+    if (!m_haveXrandr) {
+        return false;
+    }
     
     xcb_generic_event_t *ev = static_cast<xcb_generic_event_t *>(message);