Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. The described techniques provide for a first user equipment (UE) receiving, from an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, an indication that the IAB node supports sidelink communications. The indication may be broadcast by the IAB node or indicated via an established connection, such as a radio resource control (RRC) connection. The first UE may select the IAB node to relay communications between the first UE and a second wireless node based at least in part on the indication that the IAB node supports sidelink communications. The UE may communicate one or more data messages with the second wireless node via the IAB node in accordance the selecting of the IAB node to relay the communications.