diff --git a/cpus.c b/cpus.c
index 08a84628c1..1063dace88 100644
--- a/cpus.c
+++ b/cpus.c
@@ -1205,6 +1205,7 @@ static void *qemu_kvm_cpu_thread_fn(void *arg)
     cpu->created = false;
     qemu_cond_signal(&qemu_cpu_cond);
     qemu_mutex_unlock_iothread();
+    rcu_unregister_thread();
     return NULL;
 }