diff --git a/sway/commands/seat/attach.c b/sway/commands/seat/attach.c
index 3e771c000..6b4bcf1ff 100644
--- a/sway/commands/seat/attach.c
+++ b/sway/commands/seat/attach.c
@@ -23,6 +23,8 @@ struct cmd_results *seat_cmd_attach(int argc, char **argv) {
 	new_attachment->identifier = strdup(argv[0]);
 	list_add(new_config->attachments, new_attachment);
 
-	apply_seat_config(new_config);
+	if (!config->validating) {
+		apply_seat_config(new_config);
+	}
 	return cmd_results_new(CMD_SUCCESS, NULL, NULL);
 }
diff --git a/sway/commands/seat/fallback.c b/sway/commands/seat/fallback.c
index 56feaab58..11f5a08c5 100644
--- a/sway/commands/seat/fallback.c
+++ b/sway/commands/seat/fallback.c
@@ -27,6 +27,8 @@ struct cmd_results *seat_cmd_fallback(int argc, char **argv) {
 			"Expected 'fallback <true|false>'");
 	}
 
-	apply_seat_config(new_config);
+	if (!config->validating) {
+		apply_seat_config(new_config);
+	}
 	return cmd_results_new(CMD_SUCCESS, NULL, NULL);
 }