diff --git a/hw/virtio/virtio.c b/hw/virtio/virtio.c
index 5884ce3480..ea532dc35f 100644
--- a/hw/virtio/virtio.c
+++ b/hw/virtio/virtio.c
@@ -2491,6 +2491,7 @@ static void virtio_device_realize(DeviceState *dev, Error **errp)
     virtio_bus_device_plugged(vdev, &err);
     if (err != NULL) {
         error_propagate(errp, err);
+        vdc->unrealize(dev, NULL);
         return;
     }