diff --git a/python/qemu/machine/machine.py b/python/qemu/machine/machine.py
index f92e73de40..67ab06ca2b 100644
--- a/python/qemu/machine/machine.py
+++ b/python/qemu/machine/machine.py
@@ -349,9 +349,6 @@ class QEMUMachine:
         Called to cleanup the VM instance after the process has exited.
         May also be called after a failed launch.
         """
-        # Comprehensive reset for the failed launch case:
-        self._early_cleanup()
-
         try:
             self._close_qmp_connection()
         except Exception as err:  # pylint: disable=broad-except
@@ -400,9 +397,16 @@ class QEMUMachine:
 
         try:
             self._launch()
-            self._launched = True
         except:
-            self._post_shutdown()
+            # We may have launched the process but it may
+            # have exited before we could connect via QMP.
+            # Assume the VM didn't launch or is exiting.
+            # If we don't wait for the process, exitcode() may still be
+            # 'None' by the time control is ceded back to the caller.
+            if self._launched:
+                self.wait()
+            else:
+                self._post_shutdown()
 
             LOG.debug('Error launching VM')
             if self._qemu_full_args:
@@ -426,6 +430,7 @@ class QEMUMachine:
                                        stderr=subprocess.STDOUT,
                                        shell=False,
                                        close_fds=False)
+        self._launched = True
         self._post_launch()
 
     def _close_qmp_connection(self) -> None:
@@ -457,8 +462,8 @@ class QEMUMachine:
         """
         Perform any cleanup that needs to happen before the VM exits.
 
-        May be invoked by both soft and hard shutdown in failover scenarios.
-        Called additionally by _post_shutdown for comprehensive cleanup.
+        This method may be called twice upon shutdown, once each by soft
+        and hard shutdown in failover scenarios.
         """
         # If we keep the console socket open, we may deadlock waiting
         # for QEMU to exit, while QEMU is waiting for the socket to