diff --git a/hw/xwayland/xwayland.c b/hw/xwayland/xwayland.c
index 19aa14a47..9b1d85674 100644
--- a/hw/xwayland/xwayland.c
+++ b/hw/xwayland/xwayland.c
@@ -265,6 +265,9 @@ xwl_close_screen(ScreenPtr screen)
 static struct xwl_seat *
 xwl_screen_get_default_seat(struct xwl_screen *xwl_screen)
 {
+    if (xorg_list_is_empty(&xwl_screen->seat_list))
+        return NULL;
+
     return container_of(xwl_screen->seat_list.prev,
                         struct xwl_seat,
                         link);
@@ -324,6 +327,10 @@ xwl_cursor_confined_to(DeviceIntPtr device,
     if (!xwl_seat)
         xwl_seat = xwl_screen_get_default_seat(xwl_screen);
 
+    /* xwl_seat hasn't been setup yet, don't do anything just yet */
+    if (!xwl_seat)
+        return;
+
     if (window == screen->root) {
         xwl_seat_unconfine_pointer(xwl_seat);
         return;