diff --git a/hw/net/virtio-net.c b/hw/net/virtio-net.c
index 365e266b74..826a2a5fca 100644
--- a/hw/net/virtio-net.c
+++ b/hw/net/virtio-net.c
@@ -125,10 +125,23 @@ static void virtio_net_vhost_status(VirtIONet *n, uint8_t status)
         return;
     }
     if (!n->vhost_started) {
-        int r;
+        int r, i;
+
         if (!vhost_net_query(get_vhost_net(nc->peer), vdev)) {
             return;
         }
+
+        /* Any packets outstanding? Purge them to avoid touching rings
+         * when vhost is running.
+         */
+        for (i = 0;  i < queues; i++) {
+            NetClientState *qnc = qemu_get_subqueue(n->nic, i);
+
+            /* Purge both directions: TX and RX. */
+            qemu_net_queue_purge(qnc->peer->incoming_queue, qnc);
+            qemu_net_queue_purge(qnc->incoming_queue, qnc->peer);
+        }
+
         n->vhost_started = 1;
         r = vhost_net_start(vdev, n->nic->ncs, queues);
         if (r < 0) {