diff --git a/dwl.c b/dwl.c
index 52109ee..b80f3aa 100644
--- a/dwl.c
+++ b/dwl.c
@@ -803,7 +803,6 @@ createmon(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data)
 	 * monitor's preferred mode; a more sophisticated compositor would let
 	 * the user configure it. */
 	wlr_output_set_mode(wlr_output, wlr_output_preferred_mode(wlr_output));
-	wlr_output_enable_adaptive_sync(wlr_output, 1);
 
 	/* Set up event listeners */
 	LISTEN(&wlr_output->events.frame, &m->frame, rendermon);
@@ -813,6 +812,11 @@ createmon(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data)
 	if (!wlr_output_commit(wlr_output))
 		return;
 
+	/* Try to enable adaptive sync, note that not all monitors support it.
+	 * wlr_output_commit() will deactivate it in case it cannot be enabled */
+	wlr_output_enable_adaptive_sync(wlr_output, 1);
+	wlr_output_commit(wlr_output);
+
 	wl_list_insert(&mons, &m->link);
 	printstatus();