diff --git a/src/qemu/qemu_hotplug.c b/src/qemu/qemu_hotplug.c
index 78961a7ddb..e5e7fbdc42 100644
--- a/src/qemu/qemu_hotplug.c
+++ b/src/qemu/qemu_hotplug.c
@@ -2688,7 +2688,7 @@ qemuDomainChangeGraphicsPasswords(virQEMUDriverPtr driver,
     int ret = -1;
     virQEMUDriverConfigPtr cfg = virQEMUDriverGetConfig(driver);
 
-    if (!auth->passwd && !cfg->vncPassword) {
+    if (!auth->passwd && !defaultPasswd) {
         ret = 0;
         goto cleanup;
     }