diff --git a/src/server.c b/src/server.c
index ccbd57ba..4cfd015a 100644
--- a/src/server.c
+++ b/src/server.c
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
 #include <wlr/types/wlr_foreign_toplevel_management_v1.h>
 #include <wlr/types/wlr_fractional_scale_v1.h>
 #include <wlr/types/wlr_gamma_control_v1.h>
+#include <wlr/types/wlr_linux_drm_syncobj_v1.h>
 #include <wlr/types/wlr_presentation_time.h>
 #include <wlr/types/wlr_primary_selection_v1.h>
 #include <wlr/types/wlr_screencopy_v1.h>
@@ -530,6 +531,12 @@ server_init(struct server *server)
 		wlr_log(WLR_DEBUG, "unable to initialize dmabuf");
 	}
 
+	if (wlr_renderer_get_drm_fd(server->renderer) >= 0 &&
+			server->renderer->features.timeline) {
+		wlr_linux_drm_syncobj_manager_v1_create(server->wl_display, 1,
+			wlr_renderer_get_drm_fd(server->renderer));
+	}
+
 	/*
 	 * Autocreates an allocator for us. The allocator is the bridge between
 	 * the renderer and the backend. It handles the buffer creation,