diff --git a/block/mirror.c b/block/mirror.c
index 429751b9fe..03fc6d63b7 100644
--- a/block/mirror.c
+++ b/block/mirror.c
@@ -1056,6 +1056,10 @@ static int coroutine_fn bdrv_mirror_top_pwritev(BlockDriverState *bs,
 
 static int coroutine_fn bdrv_mirror_top_flush(BlockDriverState *bs)
 {
+    if (bs->backing == NULL) {
+        /* we can be here after failed bdrv_append in mirror_start_job */
+        return 0;
+    }
     return bdrv_co_flush(bs->backing->bs);
 }