diff --git a/hw/net/virtio-net.c b/hw/net/virtio-net.c
index 10cc958396..4895af1cbe 100644
--- a/hw/net/virtio-net.c
+++ b/hw/net/virtio-net.c
@@ -3416,6 +3416,7 @@ static void virtio_net_device_unrealize(DeviceState *dev)
     g_free(n->vlans);
 
     if (n->failover) {
+        device_listener_unregister(&n->primary_listener);
         g_free(n->primary_device_id);
         g_free(n->standby_id);
         qobject_unref(n->primary_device_dict);