diff --git a/src/qemu/qemu_process.c b/src/qemu/qemu_process.c
index 126fabf5ef..832b2e6870 100644
--- a/src/qemu/qemu_process.c
+++ b/src/qemu/qemu_process.c
@@ -6907,12 +6907,6 @@ qemuProcessLaunch(virConnectPtr conn,
         goto cleanup;
     VIR_DEBUG("Handshake complete, child running");
 
-    if (rv == -1) {
-        /* The VM failed to start; tear filters before taps */
-        virDomainConfVMNWFilterTeardown(vm);
-        goto cleanup;
-    }
-
     if (qemuDomainObjStartWorker(vm) < 0)
         goto cleanup;