diff --git a/clients/simple-client.c b/clients/simple-client.c
index e273fa22d..ee66e92cd 100644
--- a/clients/simple-client.c
+++ b/clients/simple-client.c
@@ -104,6 +104,7 @@ init_egl(struct display *display)
 	EGLint major, minor, n;
 	EGLBoolean ret;
 
+	setenv("EGL_PLATFORM", "wayland", 1);
 	display->egl.dpy = eglGetDisplay(display->display);
 	assert(display->egl.dpy);