diff --git a/net/tap.c b/net/tap.c
index a40f7f023f..7bcd4c73ea 100644
--- a/net/tap.c
+++ b/net/tap.c
@@ -598,7 +598,6 @@ static int net_init_tap_one(const NetdevTapOptions *tap, NetClientState *peer,
 
     s = net_tap_fd_init(peer, model, name, fd, vnet_hdr);
     if (!s) {
-        close(fd);
         return -1;
     }