diff --git a/ui/vnc.c b/ui/vnc.c
index e3f857cc90..3ce3a5beec 100644
--- a/ui/vnc.c
+++ b/ui/vnc.c
@@ -1024,6 +1024,11 @@ static int find_and_clear_dirty_height(VncState *vs,
 
 static int vnc_update_client(VncState *vs, int has_dirty, bool sync)
 {
+    if (vs->disconnecting) {
+        vnc_disconnect_finish(vs);
+        return 0;
+    }
+
     vs->has_dirty += has_dirty;
     if (vs->need_update && !vs->disconnecting) {
         VncDisplay *vd = vs->vd;