diff --git a/hw/xfree86/drivers/modesetting/drmmode_display.c b/hw/xfree86/drivers/modesetting/drmmode_display.c
index 404bb1dc2..3b8107359 100644
--- a/hw/xfree86/drivers/modesetting/drmmode_display.c
+++ b/hw/xfree86/drivers/modesetting/drmmode_display.c
@@ -1151,8 +1151,10 @@ drmmode_output_detect(xf86OutputPtr output)
 
     drmmode_output->mode_output =
         drmModeGetConnector(drmmode->fd, drmmode_output->output_id);
-    if (!drmmode_output->mode_output)
+    if (!drmmode_output->mode_output) {
+        drmmode_output->output_id = -1;
         return XF86OutputStatusDisconnected;
+    }
 
     switch (drmmode_output->mode_output->connection) {
     case DRM_MODE_CONNECTED: