diff --git a/xpra/x11/desktop/desktop_server.py b/xpra/x11/desktop/desktop_server.py
index 9c079aab07..b7527dd3d6 100644
--- a/xpra/x11/desktop/desktop_server.py
+++ b/xpra/x11/desktop/desktop_server.py
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ def server_init(self) -> None:
         super().server_init()
         from xpra.x11.vfb_util import set_initial_resolution, get_desktop_vfb_resolutions
         screenlog(f"server_init() randr={self.randr}, initial-resolutions={self.initial_resolutions}")
-        if not self.randr or self.initial_resolutions == () or not features.display:
+        if not self.randr or not features.display:
             return
         res = self.initial_resolutions or get_desktop_vfb_resolutions(default_refresh_rate=self.refresh_rate)
         if len(res) > 1:
diff --git a/xpra/x11/desktop/monitor_server.py b/xpra/x11/desktop/monitor_server.py
index df8659c2d5..9a6f8b2333 100644
--- a/xpra/x11/desktop/monitor_server.py
+++ b/xpra/x11/desktop/monitor_server.py
@@ -51,8 +51,6 @@ def server_init(self) -> None:
         super().server_init()
         from xpra.x11.vfb_util import set_initial_resolution, get_desktop_vfb_resolutions
         screenlog(f"server_init() randr={self.randr}, initial-resolutions={self.initial_resolutions}")
-        if self.initial_resolutions == ():
-            return
         res = self.initial_resolutions or get_desktop_vfb_resolutions(default_refresh_rate=self.refresh_rate)
         with xlog:
             set_initial_resolution(res, self.dpi or self.default_dpi)