diff --git a/src/intel/vulkan/anv_physical_device.c b/src/intel/vulkan/anv_physical_device.c
index 14bb4f4b68e..c2395a27d59 100644
--- a/src/intel/vulkan/anv_physical_device.c
+++ b/src/intel/vulkan/anv_physical_device.c
@@ -2099,12 +2099,20 @@ anv_physical_device_init_queue_families(struct anv_physical_device *pdevice)
          intel_engines_count(pdevice->engine_info, INTEL_ENGINE_CLASS_VIDEO);
       int g_count = 0;
       int c_count = 0;
+      /* Not only the Kernel needs to have vm_control, but it also needs to
+       * have a new enough GuC and the interface to tell us so. This is
+       * implemented in the common layer by is_guc_semaphore_functional() and
+       * results in devinfo->engine_class_supported_count being adjusted,
+       * which we read below.
+       */
       const bool kernel_supports_non_render_engines = pdevice->has_vm_control;
-      const bool sparse_supports_non_render_engines =
-         pdevice->sparse_type != ANV_SPARSE_TYPE_TRTT;
+      /* For now we're choosing to not expose non-render engines on i915.ko
+       * even when the Kernel allows it. We have data suggesting it's not an
+       * obvious win in terms of performance.
+       */
       const bool can_use_non_render_engines =
          kernel_supports_non_render_engines &&
-         sparse_supports_non_render_engines;
+         pdevice->info.kmd_type == INTEL_KMD_TYPE_XE;
 
       if (can_use_non_render_engines) {
          c_count = pdevice->info.engine_class_supported_count[INTEL_ENGINE_CLASS_COMPUTE];