diff --git a/hw/core/machine.c b/hw/core/machine.c
index 907fa78ff0..8d34caa31d 100644
--- a/hw/core/machine.c
+++ b/hw/core/machine.c
@@ -1178,9 +1178,7 @@ static void numa_validate_initiator(NumaState *numa_state)
 
     for (i = 0; i < numa_state->num_nodes; i++) {
         if (numa_info[i].initiator == MAX_NODES) {
-            error_report("The initiator of NUMA node %d is missing, use "
-                         "'-numa node,initiator' option to declare it", i);
-            exit(1);
+            continue;
         }
 
         if (!numa_info[numa_info[i].initiator].present) {