diff --git a/qdev-monitor.c b/qdev-monitor.c
index eb7aef2c81..1cadefbb13 100644
--- a/qdev-monitor.c
+++ b/qdev-monitor.c
@@ -237,9 +237,12 @@ int qdev_device_help(QemuOpts *opts)
         return 0;
     }
 
-    qdev_get_device_class(&driver, &local_err);
-    if (local_err) {
-        goto error;
+    if (!object_class_by_name(driver)) {
+        const char *typename = find_typename_by_alias(driver);
+
+        if (typename) {
+            driver = typename;
+        }
     }
 
     prop_list = qmp_device_list_properties(driver, &local_err);