diff --git a/hw/net/virtio-net.c b/hw/net/virtio-net.c
index de87cfadff..340c6b6422 100644
--- a/hw/net/virtio-net.c
+++ b/hw/net/virtio-net.c
@@ -1999,6 +1999,8 @@ static ssize_t virtio_net_receive_rcu(NetClientState *nc, const uint8_t *buf,
                                     offsetof(typeof(hdr),
                                              virtio_net.hdr.num_buffers),
                                     sizeof(hdr.virtio_net.hdr.num_buffers));
+            } else {
+                hdr.virtio_net.hdr.num_buffers = cpu_to_le16(1);
             }
 
             guest_offset = n->has_vnet_hdr ?