diff --git a/drivers/overlay/overlay.go b/drivers/overlay/overlay.go
index aaef45f082..9f234105da 100644
--- a/drivers/overlay/overlay.go
+++ b/drivers/overlay/overlay.go
@@ -315,7 +315,10 @@ func Init(home string, options graphdriver.Options) (graphdriver.Driver, error)
 	}
 	fsName, ok := graphdriver.FsNames[fsMagic]
 	if !ok {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("filesystem type %#x reported for %s is not supported with 'overlay': %w", fsMagic, filepath.Dir(home), graphdriver.ErrIncompatibleFS)
+		if opts.mountProgram == "" {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("filesystem type %#x reported for %s is not supported with 'overlay': %w", fsMagic, filepath.Dir(home), graphdriver.ErrIncompatibleFS)
+		}
+		fsName = "<unknown>"
 	}
 	backingFs = fsName