diff --git a/gdbstub/internals.h b/gdbstub/internals.h
index 465c24b36e..5c0c725e54 100644
--- a/gdbstub/internals.h
+++ b/gdbstub/internals.h
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ enum {
     GDB_SIGNAL_TRAP = 5,
     GDB_SIGNAL_ABRT = 6,
     GDB_SIGNAL_ALRM = 14,
+    GDB_SIGNAL_STOP = 17,
     GDB_SIGNAL_IO = 23,
     GDB_SIGNAL_XCPU = 24,
     GDB_SIGNAL_UNKNOWN = 143
diff --git a/gdbstub/system.c b/gdbstub/system.c
index 783ac140b9..83fd452800 100644
--- a/gdbstub/system.c
+++ b/gdbstub/system.c
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@ static void gdb_vm_state_change(void *opaque, bool running, RunState state)
         break;
     case RUN_STATE_IO_ERROR:
         trace_gdbstub_hit_io_error();
-        ret = GDB_SIGNAL_IO;
+        ret = GDB_SIGNAL_STOP;
         break;
     case RUN_STATE_WATCHDOG:
         trace_gdbstub_hit_watchdog();