diff --git a/net/filter.c b/net/filter.c
index 1c4fc5a2c7..8ac79f3b7b 100644
--- a/net/filter.c
+++ b/net/filter.c
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ static void netfilter_set_status(Object *obj, const char *str, Error **errp)
         return;
     }
     nf->on = !nf->on;
-    if (nfc->status_changed) {
+    if (nf->netdev && nfc->status_changed) {
         nfc->status_changed(nf, errp);
     }
 }