diff --git a/clutter/clutter/clutter-paint-node.c b/clutter/clutter/clutter-paint-node.c
index bb23486ad..efdaef0e6 100644
--- a/clutter/clutter/clutter-paint-node.c
+++ b/clutter/clutter/clutter-paint-node.c
@@ -1213,9 +1213,6 @@ clutter_paint_node_get_framebuffer (ClutterPaintNode *node)
   ClutterPaintNode *root = clutter_paint_node_get_root (node);
   ClutterPaintNodeClass *klass;
 
-  if (root == NULL)
-    return NULL;
-
   klass = CLUTTER_PAINT_NODE_GET_CLASS (root);
   if (klass->get_framebuffer != NULL)
     return klass->get_framebuffer (root);