diff --git a/target-i386/helper.c b/target-i386/helper.c
index c5d42c5916..0424ccf6fb 100644
--- a/target-i386/helper.c
+++ b/target-i386/helper.c
@@ -1243,6 +1243,7 @@ X86CPU *cpu_x86_init(const char *cpu_model)
 {
     X86CPU *cpu;
     CPUX86State *env;
+    Error *error = NULL;
 
     cpu = X86_CPU(object_new(TYPE_X86_CPU));
     env = &cpu->env;
@@ -1253,8 +1254,12 @@ X86CPU *cpu_x86_init(const char *cpu_model)
         return NULL;
     }
 
-    x86_cpu_realize(OBJECT(cpu), NULL);
-
+    x86_cpu_realize(OBJECT(cpu), &error);
+    if (error) {
+        error_free(error);
+        object_delete(OBJECT(cpu));
+        return NULL;
+    }
     return cpu;
 }