diff --git a/src/conf/domain_conf.c b/src/conf/domain_conf.c
index b98b1ca428..04a6ee77af 100644
--- a/src/conf/domain_conf.c
+++ b/src/conf/domain_conf.c
@@ -5573,7 +5573,7 @@ virDomainDeviceDefValidateAliasesIterator(virDomainDefPtr def,
     struct virDomainDefValidateAliasesData *data = opaque;
     const char *alias = info->alias;
 
-    if (!alias)
+    if (!alias || !virDomainDeviceAliasIsUserAlias(alias))
         return 0;
 
     /* Some crazy backcompat for consoles. */