diff --git a/tools/virsh-console.c b/tools/virsh-console.c
index 9c39ac42d2..c664a3a6cd 100644
--- a/tools/virsh-console.c
+++ b/tools/virsh-console.c
@@ -356,6 +356,8 @@ vshRunConsole(vshControl *ctl,
     if (virCondInit(&con->cond) < 0 || virMutexInit(&con->lock) < 0)
         goto cleanup;
 
+    virMutexLock(&con->lock);
+
     con->stdinWatch = virEventAddHandle(STDIN_FILENO,
                                         VIR_EVENT_HANDLE_READABLE,
                                         virConsoleEventOnStdin,
@@ -375,11 +377,14 @@ vshRunConsole(vshControl *ctl,
 
     while (!con->quit) {
         if (virCondWait(&con->cond, &con->lock) < 0) {
+            virMutexUnlock(&con->lock);
             VIR_ERROR(_("unable to wait on console condition"));
             goto cleanup;
         }
     }
 
+    virMutexUnlock(&con->lock);
+
     ret = 0;
 
 cleanup: