diff --git a/src/qemu/qemu_monitor.c b/src/qemu/qemu_monitor.c
index ad5e121359..0c0b07d4a5 100644
--- a/src/qemu/qemu_monitor.c
+++ b/src/qemu/qemu_monitor.c
@@ -245,8 +245,7 @@ qemuMonitorOpenUnix(const char *monitor)
         return -1;
     }
 
-    ret = connect(monfd, (struct sockaddr *) &addr, sizeof(addr));
-    if (ret < 0) {
+    if (connect(monfd, (struct sockaddr *) &addr, sizeof(addr)) < 0) {
         virReportSystemError(errno, "%s",
                              _("failed to connect to monitor socket"));
         return -1;