diff --git a/src/backend/wayland/wl_backend.c b/src/backend/wayland/wl_backend.c
index 1028b9b..fa59118 100644
--- a/src/backend/wayland/wl_backend.c
+++ b/src/backend/wayland/wl_backend.c
@@ -1651,8 +1651,8 @@ handle_keyboard_key(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data)
             if (ev.u.key.utf8_len >= (int)sizeof(ev.u.key.utf8))
                 ev.u.key.utf8_len = 0;
         } else {
-            ev.u.key.keysym = 0;
-            ev.u.key.utf8_len = 0;
+            wwarning("handle_keyboard_key: kb->xkb_state is NULL, dropping key event (keycode=%u)", keycode);
+            return;
         }
 
         W_WL_EnqueueEvent(wmscr, &ev, NULL);