diff --git a/dsf/org.eclipse.cdt.dsf.ui/src/org/eclipse/cdt/dsf/ui/viewmodel/AbstractVMAdapter.java b/dsf/org.eclipse.cdt.dsf.ui/src/org/eclipse/cdt/dsf/ui/viewmodel/AbstractVMAdapter.java
index c5a4bd7ab38..40f49937709 100644
--- a/dsf/org.eclipse.cdt.dsf.ui/src/org/eclipse/cdt/dsf/ui/viewmodel/AbstractVMAdapter.java
+++ b/dsf/org.eclipse.cdt.dsf.ui/src/org/eclipse/cdt/dsf/ui/viewmodel/AbstractVMAdapter.java
@@ -195,6 +195,9 @@ abstract public class AbstractVMAdapter implements IVMAdapter
         final IVMProvider provider = getVMProvider(update.getPresentationContext());
         if (provider != null) {
             provider.update(update);
+        } else {
+            update.setStatus(new Status(IStatus.ERROR, DsfUIPlugin.PLUGIN_ID, "not supported"));
+            update.done();
         }
     }