diff --git a/clutter/clutter-backend-private.h b/clutter/clutter-backend-private.h
index eb44941da..a2b729c2e 100644
--- a/clutter/clutter-backend-private.h
+++ b/clutter/clutter-backend-private.h
@@ -155,6 +155,8 @@ void                    _clutter_backend_reset_cogl_framebuffer         (Clutter
 
 void                    clutter_set_allowed_drivers                     (const char             *drivers);
 
+void                    clutter_try_set_windowing_backend               (const char             *drivers);
+
 G_END_DECLS
 
 #endif /* __CLUTTER_BACKEND_PRIVATE_H__ */
diff --git a/clutter/clutter-backend.c b/clutter/clutter-backend.c
index a29976ac2..bce4e9138 100644
--- a/clutter/clutter-backend.c
+++ b/clutter/clutter-backend.c
@@ -1527,6 +1527,13 @@ clutter_set_windowing_backend (const char *backend_type)
   allowed_backends = g_strdup (backend_type);
 }
 
+void
+clutter_try_set_windowing_backend (const char *backend_type)
+{
+  if (allowed_backends == NULL)
+    clutter_set_windowing_backend (backend_type);
+}
+
 PangoDirection
 _clutter_backend_get_keymap_direction (ClutterBackend *backend)
 {
diff --git a/clutter/clutter-main.c b/clutter/clutter-main.c
index d1cf4f0ca..10fcc2085 100644
--- a/clutter/clutter-main.c
+++ b/clutter/clutter-main.c
@@ -221,6 +221,17 @@ clutter_config_read_from_key_file (GKeyFile *keyfile)
   if (!g_key_file_has_group (keyfile, ENVIRONMENT_GROUP))
     return;
 
+  str_value =
+    g_key_file_get_string (keyfile, ENVIRONMENT_GROUP,
+                           "Backends",
+                           &key_error);
+  if (key_error != NULL)
+    g_clear_error (&key_error);
+  else
+    clutter_try_set_windowing_backend (str_value);
+
+  g_free (str_value);
+
   str_value =
     g_key_file_get_string (keyfile, ENVIRONMENT_GROUP,
                            "Drivers",