diff --git a/src/bhyve/bhyve_driver.c b/src/bhyve/bhyve_driver.c
index 49c7db6567..980d145496 100644
--- a/src/bhyve/bhyve_driver.c
+++ b/src/bhyve/bhyve_driver.c
@@ -199,21 +199,17 @@ bhyveConnectOpen(virConnectPtr conn,
 {
      virCheckFlags(VIR_CONNECT_RO, VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR);
 
-     if (conn->uri == NULL) {
-         return VIR_DRV_OPEN_DECLINED;
-     } else {
-         if (STRNEQ_NULLABLE(conn->uri->path, "/system")) {
-            virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
-                           _("Unexpected bhyve URI path '%s', try bhyve:///system"),
-                           conn->uri->path);
-            return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
-         }
+     if (STRNEQ_NULLABLE(conn->uri->path, "/system")) {
+         virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
+                        _("Unexpected bhyve URI path '%s', try bhyve:///system"),
+                        conn->uri->path);
+         return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
+     }
 
-         if (bhyve_driver == NULL) {
-             virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
-                            "%s", _("bhyve state driver is not active"));
-             return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
-         }
+     if (bhyve_driver == NULL) {
+         virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
+                        "%s", _("bhyve state driver is not active"));
+         return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
      }
 
      if (virConnectOpenEnsureACL(conn) < 0)
diff --git a/src/esx/esx_driver.c b/src/esx/esx_driver.c
index 9b6944ba59..335d9a970d 100644
--- a/src/esx/esx_driver.c
+++ b/src/esx/esx_driver.c
@@ -851,10 +851,6 @@ esxConnectOpen(virConnectPtr conn, virConnectAuthPtr auth,
 
     virCheckFlags(VIR_CONNECT_RO, VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR);
 
-    /* Decline if the URI is NULL or the scheme is NULL */
-    if (!conn->uri)
-        return VIR_DRV_OPEN_DECLINED;
-
     if (STRCASENEQ(conn->uri->scheme, "vpx") &&
         conn->uri->path && STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/")) {
         VIR_WARN("Ignoring unexpected path '%s' for non-vpx scheme '%s'",
diff --git a/src/hyperv/hyperv_driver.c b/src/hyperv/hyperv_driver.c
index 4ad8855dcc..d02c0ac373 100644
--- a/src/hyperv/hyperv_driver.c
+++ b/src/hyperv/hyperv_driver.c
@@ -128,10 +128,6 @@ hypervConnectOpen(virConnectPtr conn, virConnectAuthPtr auth,
 
     virCheckFlags(VIR_CONNECT_RO, VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR);
 
-    /* Decline if the URI is NULL or the scheme is NULL */
-    if (conn->uri == NULL)
-        return VIR_DRV_OPEN_DECLINED;
-
     /* Require server part */
     if (conn->uri->server == NULL) {
         virReportError(VIR_ERR_INVALID_ARG, "%s",
diff --git a/src/interface/interface_backend_netcf.c b/src/interface/interface_backend_netcf.c
index ff3443c8e6..cc2402febb 100644
--- a/src/interface/interface_backend_netcf.c
+++ b/src/interface/interface_backend_netcf.c
@@ -159,31 +159,25 @@ netcfConnectOpen(virConnectPtr conn,
 {
     virCheckFlags(VIR_CONNECT_RO, VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR);
 
-    /* Verify uri was specified */
-    if (conn->uri == NULL) {
-        /* Only hypervisor drivers are permitted to auto-open on NULL uri */
-        return VIR_DRV_OPEN_DECLINED;
-    } else {
-        if (driver == NULL) {
-            virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR, "%s",
-                           _("interface state driver is not active"));
+    if (driver == NULL) {
+        virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR, "%s",
+                       _("interface state driver is not active"));
+        return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
+    }
+
+    if (driver->privileged) {
+        if (STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/system")) {
+            virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
+                           _("unexpected interface URI path '%s', try interface:///system"),
+                           conn->uri->path);
             return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
         }
-
-        if (driver->privileged) {
-            if (STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/system")) {
-                virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
-                               _("unexpected interface URI path '%s', try interface:///system"),
-                               conn->uri->path);
-                return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
-            }
-        } else {
-            if (STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/session")) {
-                virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
-                               _("unexpected interface URI path '%s', try interface:///session"),
-                               conn->uri->path);
-                return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
-            }
+    } else {
+        if (STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/session")) {
+            virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
+                           _("unexpected interface URI path '%s', try interface:///session"),
+                           conn->uri->path);
+            return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/src/interface/interface_backend_udev.c b/src/interface/interface_backend_udev.c
index 743aafd8ba..4b975ae4b4 100644
--- a/src/interface/interface_backend_udev.c
+++ b/src/interface/interface_backend_udev.c
@@ -1203,31 +1203,25 @@ udevConnectOpen(virConnectPtr conn,
 {
     virCheckFlags(VIR_CONNECT_RO, VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR);
 
-    /* Verify uri was specified */
-    if (conn->uri == NULL) {
-        /* Only hypervisor drivers are permitted to auto-open on NULL uri */
-        return VIR_DRV_OPEN_DECLINED;
-    } else {
-        if (driver == NULL) {
-            virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR, "%s",
-                           _("interface state driver is not active"));
+    if (driver == NULL) {
+        virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR, "%s",
+                       _("interface state driver is not active"));
+        return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
+    }
+
+    if (driver->privileged) {
+        if (STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/system")) {
+            virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
+                           _("unexpected interface URI path '%s', try interface:///system"),
+                           conn->uri->path);
             return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
         }
-
-        if (driver->privileged) {
-            if (STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/system")) {
-                virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
-                               _("unexpected interface URI path '%s', try interface:///system"),
-                               conn->uri->path);
-                return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
-            }
-        } else {
-            if (STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/session")) {
-                virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
-                               _("unexpected interface URI path '%s', try interface:///session"),
-                               conn->uri->path);
-                return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
-            }
+    } else {
+        if (STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/session")) {
+            virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
+                           _("unexpected interface URI path '%s', try interface:///session"),
+                           conn->uri->path);
+            return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/src/libvirt.c b/src/libvirt.c
index cc1387341a..30345af10d 100644
--- a/src/libvirt.c
+++ b/src/libvirt.c
@@ -1074,9 +1074,13 @@ virConnectOpenInternal(const char *name,
         }
 
         /* Filter drivers based on declared URI schemes */
-        if (virConnectDriverTab[i]->uriSchemes && ret->uri) {
+        if (virConnectDriverTab[i]->uriSchemes) {
             bool matchScheme = false;
             size_t s;
+            if (!ret->uri) {
+                VIR_DEBUG("No URI, skipping driver with URI whitelist");
+                continue;
+            }
             if (!ret->uri->scheme) {
                 VIR_DEBUG("No URI scheme, skipping driver with URI whitelist");
                 continue;
diff --git a/src/libxl/libxl_driver.c b/src/libxl/libxl_driver.c
index 872790e743..45d0c99902 100644
--- a/src/libxl/libxl_driver.c
+++ b/src/libxl/libxl_driver.c
@@ -845,26 +845,22 @@ libxlConnectOpen(virConnectPtr conn,
 {
     virCheckFlags(VIR_CONNECT_RO, VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR);
 
-    if (conn->uri == NULL) {
-        return VIR_DRV_OPEN_DECLINED;
-    } else {
-        /* Error if xen or libxl scheme specified but driver not started. */
-        if (libxl_driver == NULL) {
-            virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR, "%s",
-                           _("libxenlight state driver is not active"));
-            return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
-        }
+    /* Error if xen or libxl scheme specified but driver not started. */
+    if (libxl_driver == NULL) {
+        virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR, "%s",
+                       _("libxenlight state driver is not active"));
+        return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
+    }
 
-        /* /session isn't supported in libxenlight */
-        if (conn->uri->path &&
-            STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "") &&
-            STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/") &&
-            STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/system")) {
-            virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
-                           _("unexpected Xen URI path '%s', try xen:///system"),
-                           NULLSTR(conn->uri->path));
-            return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
-        }
+    /* /session isn't supported in libxenlight */
+    if (conn->uri->path &&
+        STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "") &&
+        STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/") &&
+        STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/system")) {
+        virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
+                       _("unexpected Xen URI path '%s', try xen:///system"),
+                       NULLSTR(conn->uri->path));
+        return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
     }
 
     if (virConnectOpenEnsureACL(conn) < 0)
diff --git a/src/lxc/lxc_driver.c b/src/lxc/lxc_driver.c
index 43815b2f20..ce541152ca 100644
--- a/src/lxc/lxc_driver.c
+++ b/src/lxc/lxc_driver.c
@@ -169,26 +169,21 @@ static virDrvOpenStatus lxcConnectOpen(virConnectPtr conn,
 {
     virCheckFlags(VIR_CONNECT_RO, VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR);
 
-    /* Verify uri was specified */
-    if (conn->uri == NULL) {
-        return VIR_DRV_OPEN_DECLINED;
-    } else {
-        /* If path isn't '/' then they typoed, tell them correct path */
-        if (conn->uri->path != NULL &&
-            STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/") &&
-            STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/system")) {
-            virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
-                           _("Unexpected LXC URI path '%s', try lxc:///system"),
-                           conn->uri->path);
-            return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
-        }
+    /* If path isn't '/' then they typoed, tell them correct path */
+    if (conn->uri->path != NULL &&
+        STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/") &&
+        STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/system")) {
+        virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
+                       _("Unexpected LXC URI path '%s', try lxc:///system"),
+                       conn->uri->path);
+        return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
+    }
 
-        /* URI was good, but driver isn't active */
-        if (lxc_driver == NULL) {
-            virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
-                           "%s", _("lxc state driver is not active"));
-            return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
-        }
+    /* URI was good, but driver isn't active */
+    if (lxc_driver == NULL) {
+        virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
+                       "%s", _("lxc state driver is not active"));
+        return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
     }
 
     if (virConnectOpenEnsureACL(conn) < 0)
diff --git a/src/network/bridge_driver.c b/src/network/bridge_driver.c
index 98754d4471..2e9191f75d 100644
--- a/src/network/bridge_driver.c
+++ b/src/network/bridge_driver.c
@@ -878,31 +878,25 @@ networkConnectOpen(virConnectPtr conn,
 {
     virCheckFlags(VIR_CONNECT_RO, VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR);
 
-    /* Verify uri was specified */
-    if (conn->uri == NULL) {
-        /* Only hypervisor drivers are permitted to auto-open on NULL uri */
-        return VIR_DRV_OPEN_DECLINED;
-    } else {
-        if (network_driver == NULL) {
-            virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR, "%s",
-                           _("network state driver is not active"));
+    if (network_driver == NULL) {
+        virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR, "%s",
+                       _("network state driver is not active"));
+        return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
+    }
+
+    if (network_driver->privileged) {
+        if (STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/system")) {
+            virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
+                           _("unexpected network URI path '%s', try network:///system"),
+                           conn->uri->path);
             return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
         }
-
-        if (network_driver->privileged) {
-            if (STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/system")) {
-                virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
-                               _("unexpected network URI path '%s', try network:///system"),
-                               conn->uri->path);
-                return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
-            }
-        } else {
-            if (STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/session")) {
-                virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
-                               _("unexpected network URI path '%s', try network:///session"),
-                               conn->uri->path);
-                return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
-            }
+    } else {
+        if (STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/session")) {
+            virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
+                           _("unexpected network URI path '%s', try network:///session"),
+                           conn->uri->path);
+            return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/src/node_device/node_device_driver.c b/src/node_device/node_device_driver.c
index a3e3d76dfc..61afa1f8eb 100644
--- a/src/node_device/node_device_driver.c
+++ b/src/node_device/node_device_driver.c
@@ -54,31 +54,25 @@ nodeConnectOpen(virConnectPtr conn,
 {
     virCheckFlags(VIR_CONNECT_RO, VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR);
 
-    /* Verify uri was specified */
-    if (conn->uri == NULL) {
-        /* Only hypervisor drivers are permitted to auto-open on NULL uri */
-        return VIR_DRV_OPEN_DECLINED;
-    } else {
-        if (driver == NULL) {
-            virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR, "%s",
-                           _("nodedev state driver is not active"));
+    if (driver == NULL) {
+        virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR, "%s",
+                       _("nodedev state driver is not active"));
+        return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
+    }
+
+    if (driver->privileged) {
+        if (STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/system")) {
+            virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
+                           _("unexpected nodedev URI path '%s', try nodedev:///system"),
+                           conn->uri->path);
             return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
         }
-
-        if (driver->privileged) {
-            if (STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/system")) {
-                virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
-                               _("unexpected nodedev URI path '%s', try nodedev:///system"),
-                               conn->uri->path);
-                return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
-            }
-        } else {
-            if (STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/session")) {
-                virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
-                               _("unexpected nodedev URI path '%s', try nodedev:///session"),
-                               conn->uri->path);
-                return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
-            }
+    } else {
+        if (STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/session")) {
+            virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
+                           _("unexpected nodedev URI path '%s', try nodedev:///session"),
+                           conn->uri->path);
+            return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/src/nwfilter/nwfilter_driver.c b/src/nwfilter/nwfilter_driver.c
index 76289265a2..542de03596 100644
--- a/src/nwfilter/nwfilter_driver.c
+++ b/src/nwfilter/nwfilter_driver.c
@@ -371,23 +371,17 @@ nwfilterConnectOpen(virConnectPtr conn,
 {
     virCheckFlags(VIR_CONNECT_RO, VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR);
 
-    /* Verify uri was specified */
-    if (conn->uri == NULL) {
-        /* Only hypervisor drivers are permitted to auto-open on NULL uri */
-        return VIR_DRV_OPEN_DECLINED;
-    } else {
-        if (driver == NULL) {
-            virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR, "%s",
-                           _("nwfilter state driver is not active"));
-            return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
-        }
+    if (driver == NULL) {
+        virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR, "%s",
+                       _("nwfilter state driver is not active"));
+        return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
+    }
 
-        if (STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/system")) {
-            virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
-                           _("unexpected nwfilter URI path '%s', try nwfilter:///system"),
-                           conn->uri->path);
-            return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
-        }
+    if (STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/system")) {
+        virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
+                       _("unexpected nwfilter URI path '%s', try nwfilter:///system"),
+                       conn->uri->path);
+        return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
     }
 
     if (virConnectOpenEnsureACL(conn) < 0)
diff --git a/src/openvz/openvz_driver.c b/src/openvz/openvz_driver.c
index e2346eabc9..7cdf65c7f5 100644
--- a/src/openvz/openvz_driver.c
+++ b/src/openvz/openvz_driver.c
@@ -1354,29 +1354,25 @@ static virDrvOpenStatus openvzConnectOpen(virConnectPtr conn,
 
     virCheckFlags(VIR_CONNECT_RO, VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR);
 
-    if (conn->uri == NULL) {
-        return VIR_DRV_OPEN_DECLINED;
-    } else {
-        /* If path isn't /system, then they typoed, so tell them correct path */
-        if (conn->uri->path == NULL ||
-            STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/system")) {
-            virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
-                           _("unexpected OpenVZ URI path '%s', try openvz:///system"),
-                           conn->uri->path);
-            return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
-        }
+    /* If path isn't /system, then they typoed, so tell them correct path */
+    if (conn->uri->path == NULL ||
+        STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/system")) {
+        virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
+                       _("unexpected OpenVZ URI path '%s', try openvz:///system"),
+                       conn->uri->path);
+        return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
+    }
 
-        if (!virFileExists("/proc/vz")) {
-            virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR, "%s",
-                           _("OpenVZ control file /proc/vz does not exist"));
-            return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
-        }
+    if (!virFileExists("/proc/vz")) {
+        virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR, "%s",
+                       _("OpenVZ control file /proc/vz does not exist"));
+        return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
+    }
 
-        if (access("/proc/vz", W_OK) < 0) {
-            virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR, "%s",
-                           _("OpenVZ control file /proc/vz is not accessible"));
-            return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
-        }
+    if (access("/proc/vz", W_OK) < 0) {
+        virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR, "%s",
+                       _("OpenVZ control file /proc/vz is not accessible"));
+        return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
     }
 
     /* We now know the URI is definitely for this driver, so beyond
diff --git a/src/phyp/phyp_driver.c b/src/phyp/phyp_driver.c
index ddbd9144bc..55d459df5c 100644
--- a/src/phyp/phyp_driver.c
+++ b/src/phyp/phyp_driver.c
@@ -1141,9 +1141,6 @@ phypConnectOpen(virConnectPtr conn,
 
     virCheckFlags(VIR_CONNECT_RO, VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR);
 
-    if (!conn || !conn->uri)
-        return VIR_DRV_OPEN_DECLINED;
-
     if (conn->uri->server == NULL) {
         virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
                        "%s", _("Missing server name in phyp:// URI"));
diff --git a/src/qemu/qemu_driver.c b/src/qemu/qemu_driver.c
index bd9c592a7a..d814e0a2ed 100644
--- a/src/qemu/qemu_driver.c
+++ b/src/qemu/qemu_driver.c
@@ -1143,38 +1143,34 @@ static virDrvOpenStatus qemuConnectOpen(virConnectPtr conn,
     virDrvOpenStatus ret = VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
     virCheckFlags(VIR_CONNECT_RO, VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR);
 
-    if (conn->uri == NULL) {
-        return VIR_DRV_OPEN_DECLINED;
-    } else {
-        if (qemu_driver == NULL) {
-            virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR, "%s",
-                           _("qemu state driver is not active"));
-            goto cleanup;
-        }
+    if (qemu_driver == NULL) {
+        virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR, "%s",
+                       _("qemu state driver is not active"));
+        goto cleanup;
+    }
 
-        cfg = virQEMUDriverGetConfig(qemu_driver);
-        if (conn->uri->path == NULL) {
+    cfg = virQEMUDriverGetConfig(qemu_driver);
+    if (conn->uri->path == NULL) {
+        virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
+                       _("no QEMU URI path given, try %s"),
+                       cfg->uri);
+        goto cleanup;
+    }
+
+    if (virQEMUDriverIsPrivileged(qemu_driver)) {
+        if (STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/system") &&
+            STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/session")) {
             virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
-                           _("no QEMU URI path given, try %s"),
-                           cfg->uri);
+                           _("unexpected QEMU URI path '%s', try qemu:///system"),
+                           conn->uri->path);
             goto cleanup;
         }
-
-        if (virQEMUDriverIsPrivileged(qemu_driver)) {
-            if (STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/system") &&
-                STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/session")) {
-                virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
-                               _("unexpected QEMU URI path '%s', try qemu:///system"),
-                               conn->uri->path);
-                goto cleanup;
-            }
-        } else {
-            if (STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/session")) {
-                virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
-                               _("unexpected QEMU URI path '%s', try qemu:///session"),
-                               conn->uri->path);
-                goto cleanup;
-            }
+    } else {
+        if (STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/session")) {
+            virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
+                           _("unexpected QEMU URI path '%s', try qemu:///session"),
+                           conn->uri->path);
+            goto cleanup;
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/src/secret/secret_driver.c b/src/secret/secret_driver.c
index aedfa10dcc..02fcaece35 100644
--- a/src/secret/secret_driver.c
+++ b/src/secret/secret_driver.c
@@ -524,31 +524,25 @@ secretConnectOpen(virConnectPtr conn,
 {
     virCheckFlags(VIR_CONNECT_RO, VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR);
 
-    /* Verify uri was specified */
-    if (conn->uri == NULL) {
-        /* Only hypervisor drivers are permitted to auto-open on NULL uri */
-        return VIR_DRV_OPEN_DECLINED;
-    } else {
-        if (driver == NULL) {
-            virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR, "%s",
-                           _("secret state driver is not active"));
+    if (driver == NULL) {
+        virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR, "%s",
+                       _("secret state driver is not active"));
+        return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
+    }
+
+    if (driver->privileged) {
+        if (STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/system")) {
+            virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
+                           _("unexpected secret URI path '%s', try secret:///system"),
+                           conn->uri->path);
             return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
         }
-
-        if (driver->privileged) {
-            if (STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/system")) {
-                virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
-                               _("unexpected secret URI path '%s', try secret:///system"),
-                               conn->uri->path);
-                return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
-            }
-        } else {
-            if (STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/session")) {
-                virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
-                               _("unexpected secret URI path '%s', try secret:///session"),
-                               conn->uri->path);
-                return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
-            }
+    } else {
+        if (STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/session")) {
+            virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
+                           _("unexpected secret URI path '%s', try secret:///session"),
+                           conn->uri->path);
+            return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/src/storage/storage_driver.c b/src/storage/storage_driver.c
index 1a81733842..6104276730 100644
--- a/src/storage/storage_driver.c
+++ b/src/storage/storage_driver.c
@@ -384,31 +384,25 @@ storageConnectOpen(virConnectPtr conn,
 {
     virCheckFlags(VIR_CONNECT_RO, VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR);
 
-    /* Verify uri was specified */
-    if (conn->uri == NULL) {
-        /* Only hypervisor drivers are permitted to auto-open on NULL uri */
-        return VIR_DRV_OPEN_DECLINED;
-    } else {
-        if (driver == NULL) {
-            virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR, "%s",
-                           _("storage state driver is not active"));
+    if (driver == NULL) {
+        virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR, "%s",
+                       _("storage state driver is not active"));
+        return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
+    }
+
+    if (driver->privileged) {
+        if (STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/system")) {
+            virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
+                           _("unexpected storage URI path '%s', try storage:///system"),
+                           conn->uri->path);
             return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
         }
-
-        if (driver->privileged) {
-            if (STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/system")) {
-                virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
-                               _("unexpected storage URI path '%s', try storage:///system"),
-                               conn->uri->path);
-                return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
-            }
-        } else {
-            if (STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/session")) {
-                virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
-                               _("unexpected storage URI path '%s', try storage:///session"),
-                               conn->uri->path);
-                return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
-            }
+    } else {
+        if (STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/session")) {
+            virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
+                           _("unexpected storage URI path '%s', try storage:///session"),
+                           conn->uri->path);
+            return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
         }
     }
 
diff --git a/src/test/test_driver.c b/src/test/test_driver.c
index 7f9c7f751e..56d496a849 100644
--- a/src/test/test_driver.c
+++ b/src/test/test_driver.c
@@ -1454,10 +1454,6 @@ testConnectOpen(virConnectPtr conn,
 
     virCheckFlags(VIR_CONNECT_RO, VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR);
 
-    if (!conn->uri)
-        return VIR_DRV_OPEN_DECLINED;
-
-    /* From this point on, the connection is for us. */
     if (!conn->uri->path
         || conn->uri->path[0] == '\0'
         || (conn->uri->path[0] == '/' && conn->uri->path[1] == '\0')) {
diff --git a/src/uml/uml_driver.c b/src/uml/uml_driver.c
index 2315cd4d15..ac168ce77b 100644
--- a/src/uml/uml_driver.c
+++ b/src/uml/uml_driver.c
@@ -1203,33 +1203,29 @@ static virDrvOpenStatus umlConnectOpen(virConnectPtr conn,
 {
     virCheckFlags(VIR_CONNECT_RO, VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR);
 
-    if (conn->uri == NULL) {
-        return VIR_DRV_OPEN_DECLINED;
-    } else {
-        /* Check path and tell them correct path if they made a mistake */
-        if (uml_driver->privileged) {
-            if (STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/system") &&
-                STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/session")) {
-                virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
-                               _("unexpected UML URI path '%s', try uml:///system"),
-                               conn->uri->path);
-                return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
-            }
-        } else {
-            if (STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/session")) {
-                virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
-                               _("unexpected UML URI path '%s', try uml:///session"),
-                               conn->uri->path);
-                return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
-            }
-        }
-
-        /* URI was good, but driver isn't active */
-        if (uml_driver == NULL) {
-            virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR, "%s",
-                           _("uml state driver is not active"));
+    /* Check path and tell them correct path if they made a mistake */
+    if (uml_driver->privileged) {
+        if (STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/system") &&
+            STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/session")) {
+            virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
+                           _("unexpected UML URI path '%s', try uml:///system"),
+                           conn->uri->path);
             return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
         }
+    } else {
+        if (STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/session")) {
+            virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
+                           _("unexpected UML URI path '%s', try uml:///session"),
+                           conn->uri->path);
+            return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
+        }
+    }
+
+    /* URI was good, but driver isn't active */
+    if (uml_driver == NULL) {
+        virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR, "%s",
+                       _("uml state driver is not active"));
+        return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
     }
 
     if (virConnectOpenEnsureACL(conn) < 0)
diff --git a/src/vbox/vbox_common.c b/src/vbox/vbox_common.c
index cead821934..cd6807d28a 100644
--- a/src/vbox/vbox_common.c
+++ b/src/vbox/vbox_common.c
@@ -517,9 +517,6 @@ vboxConnectOpen(virConnectPtr conn,
 
     virCheckFlags(VIR_CONNECT_RO, VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR);
 
-    if (conn->uri == NULL)
-        return VIR_DRV_OPEN_DECLINED;
-
     if (conn->uri->path == NULL || STREQ(conn->uri->path, "")) {
         virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR, "%s",
                        _("no VirtualBox driver path specified (try vbox:///session)"));
diff --git a/src/vbox/vbox_driver.c b/src/vbox/vbox_driver.c
index 395fa8e3d6..9e95ab01c5 100644
--- a/src/vbox/vbox_driver.c
+++ b/src/vbox/vbox_driver.c
@@ -58,9 +58,6 @@ static virDrvOpenStatus dummyConnectOpen(virConnectPtr conn,
 
     virCheckFlags(VIR_CONNECT_RO, VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR);
 
-    if (conn->uri == NULL)
-        return VIR_DRV_OPEN_DECLINED;
-
     if (conn->uri->path == NULL || STREQ(conn->uri->path, "")) {
         virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR, "%s",
                        _("no VirtualBox driver path specified (try vbox:///session)"));
diff --git a/src/vmware/vmware_driver.c b/src/vmware/vmware_driver.c
index 6118e6fa13..de3708aab3 100644
--- a/src/vmware/vmware_driver.c
+++ b/src/vmware/vmware_driver.c
@@ -130,17 +130,12 @@ vmwareConnectOpen(virConnectPtr conn,
 
     virCheckFlags(VIR_CONNECT_RO, VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR);
 
-    if (conn->uri == NULL) {
-        /* @TODO accept */
-        return VIR_DRV_OPEN_DECLINED;
-    } else {
-        /* If path isn't /session, then they typoed, so tell them correct path */
-        if (conn->uri->path == NULL || STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/session")) {
-            virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
-                           _("unexpected VMware URI path '%s', try vmwareplayer:///session, vmwarews:///session or vmwarefusion:///session"),
-                           NULLSTR(conn->uri->path));
-            return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
-        }
+    /* If path isn't /session, then they typoed, so tell them correct path */
+    if (conn->uri->path == NULL || STRNEQ(conn->uri->path, "/session")) {
+        virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
+                       _("unexpected VMware URI path '%s', try vmwareplayer:///session, vmwarews:///session or vmwarefusion:///session"),
+                       NULLSTR(conn->uri->path));
+        return VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR;
     }
 
     /* We now know the URI is definitely for this driver, so beyond
diff --git a/src/vz/vz_driver.c b/src/vz/vz_driver.c
index f3047cad6c..5867f1c911 100644
--- a/src/vz/vz_driver.c
+++ b/src/vz/vz_driver.c
@@ -358,9 +358,6 @@ vzConnectOpen(virConnectPtr conn,
 
     virCheckFlags(VIR_CONNECT_RO, VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR);
 
-    if (!conn->uri)
-        return VIR_DRV_OPEN_DECLINED;
-
     /* From this point on, the connection is for us. */
     if (STRNEQ_NULLABLE(conn->uri->path, "/system")) {
         virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR,
diff --git a/src/xenapi/xenapi_driver.c b/src/xenapi/xenapi_driver.c
index 86f9e7706d..42b305d316 100644
--- a/src/xenapi/xenapi_driver.c
+++ b/src/xenapi/xenapi_driver.c
@@ -146,9 +146,6 @@ xenapiConnectOpen(virConnectPtr conn, virConnectAuthPtr auth,
 
     virCheckFlags(VIR_CONNECT_RO, VIR_DRV_OPEN_ERROR);
 
-    if (conn->uri == NULL)
-        return VIR_DRV_OPEN_DECLINED;
-
     if (conn->uri->server == NULL) {
         xenapiSessionErrorHandler(conn, VIR_ERR_INVALID_ARG,
                                   _("Server name not in URI"));