diff --git a/vl.c b/vl.c
index fb6b2efafa..dd803fc244 100644
--- a/vl.c
+++ b/vl.c
@@ -4787,8 +4787,8 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv, char **envp)
     replay_disable_events();
     iothread_stop_all();
 
-    bdrv_close_all();
     pause_all_vcpus();
+    bdrv_close_all();
     res_free();
 
     /* vhost-user must be cleaned up before chardevs.  */