diff --git a/src/qemu/qemu_conf.c b/src/qemu/qemu_conf.c
index e9a3407ea1..7c3f317cf0 100644
--- a/src/qemu/qemu_conf.c
+++ b/src/qemu/qemu_conf.c
@@ -241,7 +241,8 @@ virQEMUDriverConfigPtr virQEMUDriverConfigNew(bool privileged)
         }
     }
 #endif
-    cfg->bridgeHelperName = strdup("/usr/libexec/qemu-bridge-helper");
+    if (!(cfg->bridgeHelperName = strdup("/usr/libexec/qemu-bridge-helper")))
+        goto no_memory;
 
     cfg->clearEmulatorCapabilities = true;