diff --git a/src/libxl/libxl_driver.c b/src/libxl/libxl_driver.c
index 2428623b52..1bae3d65a3 100644
--- a/src/libxl/libxl_driver.c
+++ b/src/libxl/libxl_driver.c
@@ -1117,7 +1117,7 @@ libxlReconnectDomain(virDomainObjPtr vm,
 out:
     libxlVmCleanup(driver, vm, VIR_DOMAIN_SHUTOFF_UNKNOWN);
     if (!vm->persistent)
-        virDomainObjListRemove(driver->domains, vm);
+        virDomainObjListRemoveLocked(driver->domains, vm);
     else
         virObjectUnlock(vm);