diff --git a/src/conf/domain_conf.c b/src/conf/domain_conf.c
index 15fd8cab0d..6dfcf81e9e 100644
--- a/src/conf/domain_conf.c
+++ b/src/conf/domain_conf.c
@@ -22182,6 +22182,12 @@ virDomainGraphicsDefFormat(virBufferPtr buf,
         break;
 
     case VIR_DOMAIN_GRAPHICS_TYPE_SPICE:
+        if (!glisten) {
+            virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR, "%s",
+                           _("missing listen element for spice graphics"));
+            return -1;
+        }
+
         switch (glisten->type) {
         case VIR_DOMAIN_GRAPHICS_LISTEN_TYPE_ADDRESS:
         case VIR_DOMAIN_GRAPHICS_LISTEN_TYPE_NETWORK: