diff --git a/xpra/client/mixins/windows.py b/xpra/client/mixins/windows.py
index 1aeb0ef87e..358ec77016 100644
--- a/xpra/client/mixins/windows.py
+++ b/xpra/client/mixins/windows.py
@@ -397,11 +397,6 @@ def run(self) -> ExitValue:
         if FAKE_SUSPEND_RESUME:
             GLib.timeout_add(FAKE_SUSPEND_RESUME * 1000, self.suspend)
             GLib.timeout_add(FAKE_SUSPEND_RESUME * 1000 * 2, self.resume)
-        if POLL_POINTER:
-            if is_Wayland():
-                log.warn("Warning: pointer polling is unlikely to work under Wayland")
-                log.warn(" and may cause problems")
-            self.poll_pointer_timer = GLib.timeout_add(POLL_POINTER, self.poll_pointer)
         return ExitCode.OK
 
     def cleanup(self) -> None:
@@ -515,6 +510,11 @@ def parse_server_capabilities(self, c: typedict) -> bool:
         # input devices:
         self.server_input_devices = c.strget("input-devices")
         self.server_precise_wheel = c.boolget("wheel.precise", False)
+        if POLL_POINTER:
+            if is_Wayland():
+                log.warn("Warning: pointer polling is unlikely to work under Wayland")
+                log.warn(" and may cause problems")
+            self.poll_pointer_timer = GLib.timeout_add(POLL_POINTER, self.poll_pointer)
         return True
 
     ######################################################################