diff --git a/swayidle/main.c b/swayidle/main.c
index 15f319c3..ad9c84c9 100644
--- a/swayidle/main.c
+++ b/swayidle/main.c
@@ -343,7 +343,10 @@ static int display_event(int fd, uint32_t mask, void *data) {
 	if (mask & WL_EVENT_HANGUP) {
 		sway_terminate(0);
 	}
-	wl_display_dispatch(state.display);
+	if (wl_display_dispatch(state.display) < 0) {
+		wlr_log_errno(L_ERROR, "wl_display_dispatch failed, exiting");
+		sway_terminate(0);
+	};
 	return 0;
 }