diff --git a/test/xi2/protocol-common.c b/test/xi2/protocol-common.c
index 2dff1ad6a..8638fd9a8 100644
--- a/test/xi2/protocol-common.c
+++ b/test/xi2/protocol-common.c
@@ -153,6 +153,7 @@ void init_simple(void)
     screen.SetCursorPosition = set_cursor_pos;
 
     dixResetPrivates();
+    InitAtoms();
     XInputExtensionInit();
     init_window(&root, NULL, ROOT_WINDOW_ID);
     init_window(&window, &root, CLIENT_WINDOW_ID);