diff --git a/libweston/compositor-drm.c b/libweston/compositor-drm.c
index c23a6913b..9ded52657 100644
--- a/libweston/compositor-drm.c
+++ b/libweston/compositor-drm.c
@@ -4127,7 +4127,7 @@ init_kms_caps(struct drm_backend *b)
 	 * to a fraction. For cursors, it's not so bad, so they are
 	 * enabled.
 	 */
-	if (!b->atomic_modeset)
+	if (!b->atomic_modeset || getenv("WESTON_FORCE_RENDERER"))
 		b->sprites_are_broken = 1;
 
 	ret = drmSetClientCap(b->drm.fd, DRM_CLIENT_CAP_ASPECT_RATIO, 1);