diff --git a/gdk/wayland/gdkdisplay-wayland.c b/gdk/wayland/gdkdisplay-wayland.c
index a6442d7f9e..2e9e98a491 100644
--- a/gdk/wayland/gdkdisplay-wayland.c
+++ b/gdk/wayland/gdkdisplay-wayland.c
@@ -425,7 +425,8 @@ gdk_wayland_display_after_process_all_updates (GdkDisplay *display)
 static gulong
 gdk_wayland_display_get_next_serial (GdkDisplay *display)
 {
-  return 0;
+  static gulong serial = 0;
+  return ++serial;
 }
 
 void