diff --git a/types/output/cursor.c b/types/output/cursor.c
index c2510896..4d0cc19a 100644
--- a/types/output/cursor.c
+++ b/types/output/cursor.c
@@ -394,9 +394,7 @@ static bool output_cursor_attempt_hardware(struct wlr_output_cursor *cursor) {
 bool wlr_output_cursor_set_buffer(struct wlr_output_cursor *cursor,
 		struct wlr_buffer *buffer, int32_t hotspot_x, int32_t hotspot_y) {
 	struct wlr_renderer *renderer = cursor->output->renderer;
-	if (!renderer) {
-		return false;
-	}
+	assert(renderer != NULL);
 
 	struct wlr_texture *texture = NULL;
 	struct wlr_fbox src_box = {0};
diff --git a/types/wlr_cursor.c b/types/wlr_cursor.c
index aca43bee..e1fabe5d 100644
--- a/types/wlr_cursor.c
+++ b/types/wlr_cursor.c
@@ -509,9 +509,7 @@ static void cursor_output_cursor_update(struct wlr_cursor_output_cursor *output_
 
 	if (cur->state->buffer != NULL) {
 		struct wlr_renderer *renderer = output_cursor->output_cursor->output->renderer;
-		if (!renderer) {
-			return;
-		}
+		assert(renderer != NULL);
 
 		struct wlr_buffer *buffer = cur->state->buffer;
 		int32_t hotspot_x = cur->state->buffer_hotspot.x;