diff --git a/src/util/threadpool.c b/src/util/threadpool.c
index c16e2aff60..883d1e5bdd 100644
--- a/src/util/threadpool.c
+++ b/src/util/threadpool.c
@@ -258,7 +258,8 @@ void virThreadPoolFree(virThreadPoolPtr pool)
         virCondBroadcast(&pool->prioCond);
     }
 
-    ignore_value(virCondWait(&pool->quit_cond, &pool->mutex));
+    if (pool->nWorkers > 0 || pool->nPrioWorkers > 0)
+        ignore_value(virCondWait(&pool->quit_cond, &pool->mutex));
 
     while ((job = pool->jobList.head)) {
         pool->jobList.head = pool->jobList.head->next;