diff --git a/src/sna/sna_gradient.c b/src/sna/sna_gradient.c
index db09e72d..237cf57b 100644
--- a/src/sna/sna_gradient.c
+++ b/src/sna/sna_gradient.c
@@ -428,7 +428,7 @@ bool sna_gradients_create(struct sna *sna)
 {
 	DBG(("%s\n", __FUNCTION__));
 
-	if (!can_render(sna))
+	if (unlikely(sna->kgem.wedged))
 		return true;
 
 	if (!sna_alpha_cache_init(sna))