diff --git a/include/hw/virtio/virtio-net.h b/include/hw/virtio/virtio-net.h
index b96f0c643f1..07a9319f4bd 100644
--- a/include/hw/virtio/virtio-net.h
+++ b/include/hw/virtio/virtio-net.h
@@ -182,6 +182,8 @@ struct VirtIONet {
     char *netclient_name;
     char *netclient_type;
     uint64_t curr_guest_offloads;
+    /* used on saved state restore phase to preserve the curr_guest_offloads */
+    uint64_t saved_guest_offloads;
     AnnounceTimer announce_timer;
     bool needs_vnet_hdr_swap;
     bool mtu_bypass_backend;