diff --git a/src/fu-provider.c b/src/fu-provider.c
index d3ee799fc..6c52253ae 100644
--- a/src/fu-provider.c
+++ b/src/fu-provider.c
@@ -253,6 +253,13 @@ fu_provider_update (FuProvider *provider,
 
 	/* online */
 	if (klass->update_online == NULL) {
+		g_set_error_literal (error,
+				     FWUPD_ERROR,
+				     FWUPD_ERROR_NOT_SUPPORTED,
+				     "Online update was not possible");
+		return FALSE;
+	}
+	if ((flags & FU_PROVIDER_UPDATE_FLAG_ONLINE) == 0) {
 		g_set_error_literal (error,
 				     FWUPD_ERROR,
 				     FWUPD_ERROR_NOT_SUPPORTED,