diff --git a/migration/migration.c b/migration/migration.c
index c39cedef3b..48c9ad3c96 100644
--- a/migration/migration.c
+++ b/migration/migration.c
@@ -2251,7 +2251,18 @@ static void qmp_migrate_finish(MigrationAddress *addr, bool resume_requested,
 
 void qmp_migrate_cancel(Error **errp)
 {
-    migration_cancel(NULL);
+    /*
+     * After postcopy migration has started, the source machine is not
+     * recoverable in case of a migration error. This also means the
+     * cancel command cannot be used as cancel should allow the
+     * machine to continue operation.
+     */
+    if (migration_in_postcopy()) {
+        error_setg(errp, "Postcopy migration in progress, cannot cancel.");
+        return;
+    }
+
+    migration_cancel();
 }
 
 void qmp_migrate_continue(MigrationStatus state, Error **errp)