diff --git a/migration/migration.c b/migration/migration.c
index 90bfdc3a7c2c..b523d8f2155a 100644
--- a/migration/migration.c
+++ b/migration/migration.c
@@ -1114,6 +1114,10 @@ static void migrate_fd_cancel(MigrationState *s)
         if (!migration_is_setup_or_active(old_state)) {
             break;
         }
+        /* If the migration is paused, kick it out of the pause */
+        if (old_state == MIGRATION_STATUS_PRE_SWITCHOVER) {
+            qemu_sem_post(&s->pause_sem);
+        }
         migrate_set_state(&s->state, old_state, MIGRATION_STATUS_CANCELLING);
     } while (s->state != MIGRATION_STATUS_CANCELLING);