diff --git a/hw/virtio-net.c b/hw/virtio-net.c
index 1d61f191b6..43a2b3daf0 100644
--- a/hw/virtio-net.c
+++ b/hw/virtio-net.c
@@ -424,6 +424,9 @@ static void virtio_net_handle_rx(VirtIODevice *vdev, VirtQueue *vq)
 static int virtio_net_can_receive(VLANClientState *nc)
 {
     VirtIONet *n = DO_UPCAST(NICState, nc, nc)->opaque;
+    if (!n->vm_running) {
+        return 0;
+    }
 
     if (!virtio_queue_ready(n->rx_vq) ||
         !(n->vdev.status & VIRTIO_CONFIG_S_DRIVER_OK))