diff --git a/hw/rdma/vmw/pvrdma_cmd.c b/hw/rdma/vmw/pvrdma_cmd.c
index 2979582fac..0d3c818c20 100644
--- a/hw/rdma/vmw/pvrdma_cmd.c
+++ b/hw/rdma/vmw/pvrdma_cmd.c
@@ -139,7 +139,8 @@ static int query_port(PVRDMADev *dev, union pvrdma_cmd_req *req,
     resp->hdr.ack = PVRDMA_CMD_QUERY_PORT_RESP;
     resp->hdr.err = 0;
 
-    resp->attrs.state = attrs.state;
+    resp->attrs.state = dev->func0->device_active ? attrs.state :
+                                                    PVRDMA_PORT_DOWN;
     resp->attrs.max_mtu = attrs.max_mtu;
     resp->attrs.active_mtu = attrs.active_mtu;
     resp->attrs.phys_state = attrs.phys_state;