diff --git a/kittens/panel/main.py b/kittens/panel/main.py
index f624012cd..094eb8093 100644
--- a/kittens/panel/main.py
+++ b/kittens/panel/main.py
@@ -158,8 +158,8 @@ def layer_shell_config(opts: PanelCLIOptions) -> LayerShellConfig:
 
 def main(sys_args: List[str]) -> None:
     global args
-    if is_macos or not os.environ.get('DISPLAY'):
-        raise SystemExit('Currently the panel kitten is supported only on X11 desktops')
+    if is_macos or not (os.environ.get('DISPLAY') or os.environ.get('WAYLAND_DISPLAY')):
+        raise SystemExit('Currently the panel kitten is supported only on X11 or Wayland desktops')
     args, items = parse_panel_args(sys_args[1:])
     if not items:
         raise SystemExit('You must specify the program to run')