diff --git a/src/render.c b/src/render.c
index 96c9fa81..ce7dfd80 100644
--- a/src/render.c
+++ b/src/render.c
@@ -773,13 +773,14 @@ static inline void resize_region(region_t *region, short mod) {
 /// region = ??
 /// region_real = the damage region
 void paint_all(session_t *ps, struct managed_win *t, bool ignore_damage) {
-	if (ps->o.xrender_sync_fence) {
+	if (ps->o.xrender_sync_fence || (ps->drivers & DRIVER_NVIDIA)) {
 		if (ps->xsync_exists && !x_fence_sync(ps->c, ps->sync_fence)) {
 			log_error("x_fence_sync failed, xrender-sync-fence will be "
 			          "disabled from now on.");
 			xcb_sync_destroy_fence(ps->c, ps->sync_fence);
 			ps->sync_fence = XCB_NONE;
 			ps->o.xrender_sync_fence = false;
+			ps->xsync_exists = false;
 		}
 	}