diff --git a/snapcraft/internal/build_providers/_lxd/_lxd.py b/snapcraft/internal/build_providers/_lxd/_lxd.py
index 73f9364571..66f2b80365 100644
--- a/snapcraft/internal/build_providers/_lxd/_lxd.py
+++ b/snapcraft/internal/build_providers/_lxd/_lxd.py
@@ -193,6 +193,11 @@ def _start(self):
         self._run(command=["cloud-init", "status", "--wait"])
 
     def _stop(self):
+        # If _container is still None here it means creation/starting was not
+        # successful.
+        if self._container is None:
+            return
+
         self._container.sync()
 
         if self._container.status.lower() != "stopped":
diff --git a/tests/unit/build_providers/lxd/test_lxd.py b/tests/unit/build_providers/lxd/test_lxd.py
index 41f2c69f0c..bf02fef85d 100644
--- a/tests/unit/build_providers/lxd/test_lxd.py
+++ b/tests/unit/build_providers/lxd/test_lxd.py
@@ -221,6 +221,11 @@ def test_clean_project_new_instance(self):
         container.delete_mock.assert_called_once_with(wait=True)
         self.assertThat(instance.clean_project(), Equals(True))
 
+    def test_destroy_when_not_created(self):
+        instance = LXD(project=self.project, echoer=self.echoer_mock)
+        # This call should not fail
+        instance.destroy()
+
 
 class LXDLaunchedTest(LXDBaseTest):
     def setUp(self):