diff --git a/libweston/backend-wayland/wayland.c b/libweston/backend-wayland/wayland.c
index 8a5a1e54e..58533eb1b 100644
--- a/libweston/backend-wayland/wayland.c
+++ b/libweston/backend-wayland/wayland.c
@@ -2430,7 +2430,8 @@ wayland_input_destroy(struct wayland_input *input)
 	if (input->touch_device)
 		weston_touch_device_destroy(input->touch_device);
 
-	weston_seat_release(&input->base);
+	if (input->seat_initialized)
+		weston_seat_release(&input->base);
 
 	if (input->parent.keyboard) {
 		if (input->seat_version >= WL_KEYBOARD_RELEASE_SINCE_VERSION)