diff --git a/block/nbd.c b/block/nbd.c
index 42e10c7c93f5..bcd6641e90f5 100644
--- a/block/nbd.c
+++ b/block/nbd.c
@@ -235,7 +235,14 @@ static void nbd_client_detach_aio_context(BlockDriverState *bs)
 
     /* Timer is deleted in nbd_client_co_drain_begin() */
     assert(!s->reconnect_delay_timer);
-    qio_channel_detach_aio_context(QIO_CHANNEL(s->ioc));
+    /*
+     * If reconnect is in progress we may have no ->ioc.  It will be
+     * re-instantiated in the proper aio context once the connection is
+     * reestablished.
+     */
+    if (s->ioc) {
+        qio_channel_detach_aio_context(QIO_CHANNEL(s->ioc));
+    }
 }
 
 static void nbd_client_attach_aio_context_bh(void *opaque)