diff --git a/drivers/hv/channel_mgmt.c b/drivers/hv/channel_mgmt.c
index 4506a6623618..00ba3f36f193 100644
--- a/drivers/hv/channel_mgmt.c
+++ b/drivers/hv/channel_mgmt.c
@@ -469,6 +469,10 @@ void vmbus_initiate_unload(void)
 {
 	struct vmbus_channel_message_header hdr;
 
+	/* Pre-Win2012R2 hosts don't support reconnect */
+	if (vmbus_proto_version < VERSION_WIN8_1)
+		return;
+
 	init_completion(&vmbus_connection.unload_event);
 	memset(&hdr, 0, sizeof(struct vmbus_channel_message_header));
 	hdr.msgtype = CHANNELMSG_UNLOAD;