diff --git a/types/output/cursor.c b/types/output/cursor.c
index bd6f757e..85973ce9 100644
--- a/types/output/cursor.c
+++ b/types/output/cursor.c
@@ -376,15 +376,19 @@ static bool output_cursor_attempt_hardware(struct wlr_output_cursor *cursor) {
 bool wlr_output_cursor_set_image(struct wlr_output_cursor *cursor,
 		const uint8_t *pixels, int32_t stride, uint32_t width, uint32_t height,
 		int32_t hotspot_x, int32_t hotspot_y) {
-	struct wlr_readonly_data_buffer *buffer =
-		readonly_data_buffer_create(DRM_FORMAT_ARGB8888, stride, width, height,
-		pixels);
-	if (buffer == NULL) {
-		return false;
+	struct wlr_buffer *buffer = NULL;
+
+	if (pixels) {
+		struct wlr_readonly_data_buffer *ro_buffer = readonly_data_buffer_create(
+			DRM_FORMAT_ARGB8888, stride, width, height, pixels);
+		if (ro_buffer == NULL) {
+			return false;
+		}
+		buffer = &ro_buffer->base;
 	}
-	bool ok = wlr_output_cursor_set_buffer(cursor, &buffer->base,
-		hotspot_x, hotspot_y);
-	wlr_buffer_drop(&buffer->base);
+	bool ok = wlr_output_cursor_set_buffer(cursor, buffer, hotspot_x, hotspot_y);
+
+	wlr_buffer_drop(buffer);
 	return ok;
 }