diff --git a/blockdev.c b/blockdev.c
index d8fb3399f5..057601dcf0 100644
--- a/blockdev.c
+++ b/blockdev.c
@@ -1395,7 +1395,8 @@ static void external_snapshot_action(TransactionAction *action,
     bdrv_drained_begin(state->old_bs);
 
     if (!bdrv_is_inserted(state->old_bs)) {
-        error_setg(errp, QERR_DEVICE_HAS_NO_MEDIUM, device);
+        error_setg(errp, QERR_DEVICE_HAS_NO_MEDIUM,
+                   bdrv_get_device_or_node_name(state->old_bs));
         return;
     }