diff --git a/qemu-char.c b/qemu-char.c
index 10d150494..398baf1e0 100644
--- a/qemu-char.c
+++ b/qemu-char.c
@@ -2141,14 +2141,17 @@ typedef struct {
 
 static void tcp_chr_accept(void *opaque);
 
+static void tcp_chr_connect(void *opaque);
+
 static int tcp_chr_write(CharDriverState *chr, const uint8_t *buf, int len)
 {
     TCPCharDriver *s = chr->opaque;
     if (s->connected) {
         return send_all(s->fd, buf, len);
     } else {
-        /* XXX: indicate an error ? */
-        return len;
+        /* (Re-)connect for unconnected writing */
+        tcp_chr_connect(chr);
+        return 0;
     }
 }