diff --git a/migration/migration.c b/migration/migration.c
index d426b69ada..15b7258bb2 100644
--- a/migration/migration.c
+++ b/migration/migration.c
@@ -2064,17 +2064,18 @@ static int open_return_path_on_source(MigrationState *ms,
 static int await_return_path_close_on_source(MigrationState *ms)
 {
     /*
-     * If this is a normal exit then the destination will send a SHUT and the
-     * rp_thread will exit, however if there's an error we need to cause
-     * it to exit.
+     * If this is a normal exit then the destination will send a SHUT
+     * and the rp_thread will exit, however if there's an error we
+     * need to cause it to exit. shutdown(2), if we have it, will
+     * cause it to unblock if it's stuck waiting for the destination.
      */
-    if (qemu_file_get_error(ms->to_dst_file) && ms->rp_state.from_dst_file) {
-        /*
-         * shutdown(2), if we have it, will cause it to unblock if it's stuck
-         * waiting for the destination.
-         */
-        qemu_file_shutdown(ms->rp_state.from_dst_file);
+    WITH_QEMU_LOCK_GUARD(&ms->qemu_file_lock) {
+        if (ms->to_dst_file && ms->rp_state.from_dst_file &&
+            qemu_file_get_error(ms->to_dst_file)) {
+            qemu_file_shutdown(ms->rp_state.from_dst_file);
+        }
     }
+
     trace_await_return_path_close_on_source_joining();
     qemu_thread_join(&ms->rp_state.rp_thread);
     ms->rp_state.rp_thread_created = false;