diff --git a/labgrid/driver/qemudriver.py b/labgrid/driver/qemudriver.py
index 033962d96..77bb8af4e 100644
--- a/labgrid/driver/qemudriver.py
+++ b/labgrid/driver/qemudriver.py
@@ -124,7 +124,8 @@ def on_activate(self):
             if self.machine == "q35":
                 self._cmd.append("-drive")
                 self._cmd.append(
-                    f"format={disk_format},file={disk_path}")
+                    f"if=virtio,format={disk_format},file={disk_path}")
+                boot_args.append("root=/dev/vda rootwait")
             elif self.machine == "pc":
                 self._cmd.append("-drive")
                 self._cmd.append(