diff --git a/src/backend/wayland/wl_backend.c b/src/backend/wayland/wl_backend.c
index 3e89a3d..74a75bc 100644
--- a/src/backend/wayland/wl_backend.c
+++ b/src/backend/wayland/wl_backend.c
@@ -1349,6 +1349,7 @@ handle_xwayland_server_destroy(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data)
     (void)listener;
     (void)data;
     wwarning("wl_backend: XWayland server exited");
+    wl_state.xwayland_ready = true;  /* break the wait loop */
 }
 
 static void
@@ -2402,7 +2403,7 @@ wl_display_open(const char *name)
      * renders through XWayland, making the WM visible on-screen.
      * The ready signal fires once Xwayland's socket accepts connections. */
     wl_state.xwayland = wlr_xwayland_create(wl_state.display,
-                                             wl_state.compositor, false);
+                                             wl_state.compositor, true);
     if (wl_state.xwayland) {
         /* Wire server destroy signal to detect early failure (e.g. stale
          * display lock → Xwayland exits before ready fires). */
@@ -2492,14 +2493,12 @@ wl_display_open(const char *name)
      * handle_xwayland_ready() calls XOpenDisplay and stores the result in
      * wl_state.x_display, then sets xwayland_ready = true to break the loop.
      * If XWayland is not available, return NULL (pure Wayland path). */
+    /* XWayland is lazy — it starts when the first X11 client connects.
+     * No need to wait for it at startup. Mark as ready so the rest of
+     * init proceeds without blocking. */
     if (wl_state.xwayland) {
-        wwarning("wl_backend: waiting for XWayland ready signal...");
-        struct wl_event_loop *ev_loop =
-            wl_display_get_event_loop(wl_state.display);
-        while (!wl_state.xwayland_ready) {
-            wl_display_flush_clients(wl_state.display);
-            wl_event_loop_dispatch(ev_loop, 10);
-        }
+        wwarning("wl_backend: XWayland configured (lazy mode) — starts on first X11 client");
+        wl_state.xwayland_ready = true;
         if (wl_state.x_display) {
             wwarning("wl_backend: XWayland bridge ready — Display*=%p, full WM UI enabled",
                      (void *)wl_state.x_display);