diff --git a/src/qemu/qemu_migration.c b/src/qemu/qemu_migration.c
index be6d0e0f415b4289f64d1798d0c65efc64856044..1122daba949de90014169e00d27f3b401ed735ea 100644
--- a/src/qemu/qemu_migration.c
+++ b/src/qemu/qemu_migration.c
@@ -2583,7 +2583,7 @@ qemuMigrationFinish(struct qemud_driver *driver,
                 vm->newDef = vmdef = mig->persistent;
             else
                 vmdef = virDomainObjGetPersistentDef(driver->caps, vm);
-            if (virDomainSaveConfig(driver->configDir, vmdef) < 0) {
+            if (!vmdef || virDomainSaveConfig(driver->configDir, vmdef) < 0) {
                 /* Hmpf.  Migration was successful, but making it persistent
                  * was not.  If we report successful, then when this domain
                  * shuts down, management tools are in for a surprise.  On the
@@ -2604,6 +2604,9 @@ qemuMigrationFinish(struct qemud_driver *driver,
                     if (newVM)
                         vm->persistent = 0;
                 }
+                if (!vmdef)
+                    qemuReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR, "%s",
+                                    _("can't get vmdef"));
                 goto endjob;
             }