diff --git a/meta/lib/oeqa/utils/qemurunner.py b/meta/lib/oeqa/utils/qemurunner.py
index 6734cee48d..8bb35f5a8b 100644
--- a/meta/lib/oeqa/utils/qemurunner.py
+++ b/meta/lib/oeqa/utils/qemurunner.py
@@ -483,6 +483,7 @@ class QemuRunner:
 
                         decodedlog = self.decode_qemulog(bootlog)
                         if self.boot_patterns['search_reached_prompt'] in decodedlog:
+                            self.server_socket.close()
                             self.server_socket = qemusock
                             stopread = True
                             reachedlogin = True