diff --git a/cogl/cogl-material.c b/cogl/cogl-material.c
index f266105cb..981837228 100644
--- a/cogl/cogl-material.c
+++ b/cogl/cogl-material.c
@@ -3015,6 +3015,14 @@ _cogl_material_point_size_equal (CoglMaterial *authority0,
   return authority0->big_state->point_size == authority1->big_state->point_size;
 }
 
+static gboolean
+_cogl_material_user_shader_equal (CoglMaterial *authority0,
+                                  CoglMaterial *authority1)
+{
+  return (authority0->big_state->user_program ==
+          authority1->big_state->user_program);
+}
+
 static gboolean
 _cogl_material_layers_equal (CoglMaterial *authority0,
                              CoglMaterial *authority1)
@@ -3244,6 +3252,12 @@ _cogl_material_equal (CoglMaterial *material0,
                               _cogl_material_point_size_equal))
     return FALSE;
 
+  if (!simple_property_equal (material0, material1,
+                              materials_difference,
+                              COGL_MATERIAL_STATE_USER_SHADER,
+                              _cogl_material_user_shader_equal))
+    return FALSE;
+
   if (!simple_property_equal (material0, material1,
                               materials_difference,
                               COGL_MATERIAL_STATE_LAYERS,