diff --git a/hw/vfio/container.c b/hw/vfio/container.c
index 38a9df3496..ce9a858e56 100644
--- a/hw/vfio/container.c
+++ b/hw/vfio/container.c
@@ -656,7 +656,6 @@ static bool vfio_connect_container(VFIOGroup *group, AddressSpace *as,
     return true;
 listener_release_exit:
     QLIST_REMOVE(group, container_next);
-    QLIST_REMOVE(bcontainer, next);
     vfio_kvm_device_del_group(group);
     memory_listener_unregister(&bcontainer->listener);
     if (vioc->release) {