diff --git a/plugins/loader.c b/plugins/loader.c
index 685d334e1a..8ac5dbc20f 100644
--- a/plugins/loader.c
+++ b/plugins/loader.c
@@ -235,6 +235,7 @@ static int plugin_load(struct qemu_plugin_desc *desc, const qemu_info_t *info)
     return rc;
 
  err_symbol:
+    g_module_close(ctx->handle);
  err_dlopen:
     qemu_vfree(ctx);
     return 1;