diff --git a/monitor.c b/monitor.c
index 823b5a1099..66f149c1dc 100644
--- a/monitor.c
+++ b/monitor.c
@@ -4292,7 +4292,7 @@ int monitor_suspend(Monitor *mon)
 
     atomic_inc(&mon->suspend_cnt);
 
-    if (monitor_is_qmp(mon)) {
+    if (monitor_is_qmp(mon) && mon->use_io_thread) {
         /*
          * Kick I/O thread to make sure this takes effect.  It'll be
          * evaluated again in prepare() of the watch object.