diff --git a/hw/core/machine.c b/hw/core/machine.c
index 3e288bfceb..d8e30e4895 100644
--- a/hw/core/machine.c
+++ b/hw/core/machine.c
@@ -148,7 +148,8 @@ GlobalProperty hw_compat_2_5[] = {
 const size_t hw_compat_2_5_len = G_N_ELEMENTS(hw_compat_2_5);
 
 GlobalProperty hw_compat_2_4[] = {
-    { "virtio-blk-device", "scsi", "true" },
+    /* Optional because the 'scsi' property is Linux-only */
+    { "virtio-blk-device", "scsi", "true", .optional = true },
     { "e1000", "extra_mac_registers", "off" },
     { "virtio-pci", "x-disable-pcie", "on" },
     { "virtio-pci", "migrate-extra", "off" },