diff --git a/src/network/bridge_driver.c b/src/network/bridge_driver.c
index 3270dc5007..ef982363b4 100644
--- a/src/network/bridge_driver.c
+++ b/src/network/bridge_driver.c
@@ -2490,7 +2490,8 @@ networkShutdownNetworkVirtual(virNetworkDriverStatePtr driver,
     if (network->def->bandwidth)
         virNetDevBandwidthClear(network->def->bridge);
 
-    virObjectUnref(network->macmap);
+    if (!virObjectUnref(network->macmap))
+        network->macmap = NULL;
 
     if (network->radvdPid > 0) {
         char *radvdpidbase;