diff --git a/hw/net/virtio-net.c b/hw/net/virtio-net.c
index c32168077a..7d091c9259 100644
--- a/hw/net/virtio-net.c
+++ b/hw/net/virtio-net.c
@@ -510,6 +510,10 @@ static int peer_attach(VirtIONet *n, int index)
         return 0;
     }
 
+    if (n->max_queues == 1) {
+        return 0;
+    }
+
     return tap_enable(nc->peer);
 }