diff --git a/nova/tests/unit/virt/vmwareapi/test_volumeops.py b/nova/tests/unit/virt/vmwareapi/test_volumeops.py
index fd77337b08..7a14b1ff57 100644
--- a/nova/tests/unit/virt/vmwareapi/test_volumeops.py
+++ b/nova/tests/unit/virt/vmwareapi/test_volumeops.py
@@ -538,6 +538,8 @@ class VMwareVolumeOpsTestCase(test.NoDBTestCase):
         rp = mock.sentinel.rp
         get_res_pool_of_host.return_value = rp
 
+        detach_disk_from_vm.side_effect = [
+            oslo_vmw_exceptions.FileNotFoundException]
         instance = self._instance
         volume_ref = mock.sentinel.volume_ref
         vm_ref = mock.sentinel.vm_ref
diff --git a/nova/virt/vmwareapi/volumeops.py b/nova/virt/vmwareapi/volumeops.py
index 7aa1b1193a..221fa4a7bc 100644
--- a/nova/virt/vmwareapi/volumeops.py
+++ b/nova/virt/vmwareapi/volumeops.py
@@ -491,8 +491,12 @@ class VMwareVolumeOps(object):
         # Volume's backing is relocated now; detach the old vmdk if not done
         # already.
         if not detached:
-            self.detach_disk_from_vm(volume_ref, instance, original_device,
-                                     destroy_disk=True)
+            try:
+                self.detach_disk_from_vm(volume_ref, instance,
+                                         original_device, destroy_disk=True)
+            except oslo_vmw_exceptions.FileNotFoundException:
+                LOG.debug("Original volume backing %s is missing, no need "
+                          "to detach it", original_device.backing.fileName)
 
         # Attach the current volume to the volume_ref
         self.attach_disk_to_vm(volume_ref, instance,