diff --git a/accel/accel-target.c b/accel/accel-target.c
index 08626c00c2..3236d6335b 100644
--- a/accel/accel-target.c
+++ b/accel/accel-target.c
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ static const TypeInfo accel_type = {
     .parent = TYPE_OBJECT,
     .class_size = sizeof(AccelClass),
     .instance_size = sizeof(AccelState),
+    .abstract = true,
 };
 
 /* Lookup AccelClass from opt_name. Returns NULL if not found */