diff --git a/lxd/instances_put.go b/lxd/instances_put.go
index 92784e40b3cd..77f7260edef2 100644
--- a/lxd/instances_put.go
+++ b/lxd/instances_put.go
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ func instancesPut(d *Daemon, r *http.Request) response.Response {
 			}
 
 		case instancetype.Unfreeze:
-			if inst.IsRunning() {
+			if !inst.IsFrozen() {
 				continue
 			}
 		}