diff --git a/src/compton.c b/src/compton.c
index 7f57143..5f4f957 100644
--- a/src/compton.c
+++ b/src/compton.c
@@ -1834,7 +1834,7 @@ static session_t *session_init(int argc, char **argv, Display *dpy,
 	rebuild_screen_reg(ps);
 
 	// Create registration window
-	if (!ps->reg_win && !register_cm(ps)) {
+	if (!ps->o.debug_mode && !register_cm(ps)) {
 		exit(1);
 	}