diff --git a/org.jdrupes.vmoperator.runner.qemu/src/org/jdrupes/vmoperator/runner/qemu/QemuMonitor.java b/org.jdrupes.vmoperator.runner.qemu/src/org/jdrupes/vmoperator/runner/qemu/QemuMonitor.java
index a870769..05f58ca 100644
--- a/org.jdrupes.vmoperator.runner.qemu/src/org/jdrupes/vmoperator/runner/qemu/QemuMonitor.java
+++ b/org.jdrupes.vmoperator.runner.qemu/src/org/jdrupes/vmoperator/runner/qemu/QemuMonitor.java
@@ -238,7 +238,9 @@ public class QemuMonitor extends Component {
             monitorChannel = null;
             synchronized (this) {
                 if (suspendedStop != null) {
-                    powerdownTimer.cancel();
+                    if (powerdownTimer != null) {
+                        powerdownTimer.cancel();
+                    }
                     suspendedStop.resumeHandling();
                     suspendedStop = null;
                 }