diff --git a/blockdev.c b/blockdev.c
index 862aa1b9aa..57ee41b73e 100644
--- a/blockdev.c
+++ b/blockdev.c
@@ -1562,7 +1562,12 @@ static void external_snapshot_prepare(BlkActionState *common,
         goto out;
     }
 
-    if (state->new_bs->backing != NULL) {
+    if (state->new_bs->drv->is_filter) {
+        error_setg(errp, "Filters cannot be used as overlays");
+        goto out;
+    }
+
+    if (bdrv_cow_child(state->new_bs)) {
         error_setg(errp, "The overlay already has a backing image");
         goto out;
     }