diff --git a/chardev/char-pty.c b/chardev/char-pty.c
index 27eb85f505..ecf2c7a5c4 100644
--- a/chardev/char-pty.c
+++ b/chardev/char-pty.c
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ static int char_pty_chr_write(Chardev *chr, const uint8_t *buf, int len)
         /* guest sends data, check for (re-)connect */
         pty_chr_update_read_handler_locked(chr);
         if (!s->connected) {
-            return 0;
+            return len;
         }
     }
     return io_channel_send(s->ioc, buf, len);