diff --git a/qemu-char.c b/qemu-char.c
index d4f327ab6d..1a8d9aa543 100644
--- a/qemu-char.c
+++ b/qemu-char.c
@@ -1160,7 +1160,9 @@ static int pty_chr_write(CharDriverState *chr, const uint8_t *buf, int len)
     if (!s->connected) {
         /* guest sends data, check for (re-)connect */
         pty_chr_update_read_handler_locked(chr);
-        return 0;
+        if (!s->connected) {
+            return 0;
+        }
     }
     return io_channel_send(s->fd, buf, len);
 }