diff --git a/src/vnm/FixedLeases.cc b/src/vnm/FixedLeases.cc
index 42e54b87b7..61236c3db1 100644
--- a/src/vnm/FixedLeases.cc
+++ b/src/vnm/FixedLeases.cc
@@ -198,7 +198,7 @@ int FixedLeases::remove(const string& ip, string& error_msg)
         goto error_notfound;
     }
 
-    if (it->second->used) //it is in use
+    if (it->second->used && it->second->vid != -1) //it is in use by VM
     {
         goto error_used;
     }