diff --git a/src/qemu/qemu_driver.c b/src/qemu/qemu_driver.c
index f37b95dda7..013903d260 100644
--- a/src/qemu/qemu_driver.c
+++ b/src/qemu/qemu_driver.c
@@ -1959,6 +1959,8 @@ static int qemuDomainShutdownFlags(virDomainPtr dom, unsigned int flags)
         goto endjob;
     }
 
+    qemuDomainSetFakeReboot(driver, vm, isReboot);
+
     if (useAgent) {
         qemuDomainObjEnterAgent(vm);
         ret = qemuAgentShutdown(priv->agent, agentFlag);
@@ -1970,7 +1972,6 @@ static int qemuDomainShutdownFlags(virDomainPtr dom, unsigned int flags)
      */
     if (!useAgent ||
         (ret < 0 && (acpiRequested || !flags))) {
-        qemuDomainSetFakeReboot(driver, vm, isReboot);
 
         /* Even if agent failed, we have to check if guest went away
          * by itself while our locks were down.  */