diff --git a/render.c b/render.c
index 7e8183df..65c39bf8 100644
--- a/render.c
+++ b/render.c
@@ -3801,6 +3801,14 @@ static const struct wl_callback_listener xcursor_listener = {
     .done = &xcursor_callback,
 };
 
+bool
+render_xcursor_is_valid(const struct seat *seat, const char *cursor)
+{
+    if (cursor == NULL)
+        return false;
+    return wl_cursor_theme_get_cursor(seat->pointer.theme, cursor) != NULL;
+}
+
 static void
 render_xcursor_update(struct seat *seat)
 {
diff --git a/render.h b/render.h
index 644b4d00..d2c673ee 100644
--- a/render.h
+++ b/render.h
@@ -18,7 +18,9 @@ void render_refresh_csd(struct terminal *term);
 void render_refresh_search(struct terminal *term);
 void render_refresh_title(struct terminal *term);
 void render_refresh_urls(struct terminal *term);
-bool render_xcursor_set(struct seat *seat, struct terminal *term, const char *xcursor);
+bool render_xcursor_set(
+    struct seat *seat, struct terminal *term, const char *xcursor);
+bool render_xcursor_is_valid(const struct seat *seat, const char *cursor);
 
 struct render_worker_context {
     int my_id;