diff --git a/net/tap.c b/net/tap.c
index 4afb314fde..937d9429eb 100644
--- a/net/tap.c
+++ b/net/tap.c
@@ -279,6 +279,7 @@ static void tap_cleanup(VLANClientState *nc)
 
     if (s->vhost_net) {
         vhost_net_cleanup(s->vhost_net);
+        s->vhost_net = NULL;
     }
 
     qemu_purge_queued_packets(nc);