diff --git a/src/qemu/qemu_driver.c b/src/qemu/qemu_driver.c
index b3e663c9d5..85f230e5d5 100644
--- a/src/qemu/qemu_driver.c
+++ b/src/qemu/qemu_driver.c
@@ -1075,6 +1075,9 @@ qemuStateStop(void)
 static int
 qemuStateShutdownPrepare(void)
 {
+    if (!qemu_driver)
+        return 0;
+
     virThreadPoolStop(qemu_driver->workerPool);
     return 0;
 }
@@ -1094,6 +1097,9 @@ qemuDomainObjStopWorkerIter(virDomainObjPtr vm,
 static int
 qemuStateShutdownWait(void)
 {
+    if (!qemu_driver)
+        return 0;
+
     virDomainObjListForEach(qemu_driver->domains, false,
                             qemuDomainObjStopWorkerIter, NULL);
     virThreadPoolDrain(qemu_driver->workerPool);