diff --git a/tools/python/xen/xend/XendDomain.py b/tools/python/xen/xend/XendDomain.py
index 81302ad031..9e13e8735e 100644
--- a/tools/python/xen/xend/XendDomain.py
+++ b/tools/python/xen/xend/XendDomain.py
@@ -316,16 +316,10 @@ class XendDomain:
             raise XendError(str(ex))
 
 
-    def domain_shutdown(self, domid, reason='poweroff'):
+    def domain_shutdown(self, domid, reason = 'poweroff'):
         """Shutdown domain (nicely).
-         - poweroff: restart according to exit code and restart mode
-         - reboot:   restart on exit
-         - halt:     do not restart
 
-         Returns immediately.
-
-        @param id:     domain id
-        @param reason: shutdown type: poweroff, reboot, suspend, halt
+        @param reason: shutdown reason: poweroff, reboot, suspend, halt
         """
         self.callInfo(domid, XendDomainInfo.shutdown, reason)
 
@@ -335,13 +329,8 @@ class XendDomain:
         return self.callInfo(domid, XendDomainInfo.send_sysrq, key)
 
 
-    def domain_destroy(self, domid, reason='halt'):
-        """Terminate domain immediately.
-        - halt:   cancel any restart for the domain
-        - reboot  schedule a restart for the domain
-
-        @param domid: domain id
-        """
+    def domain_destroy(self, domid):
+        """Terminate domain immediately."""
 
         if domid == PRIV_DOMAIN:
             raise XendError("Cannot destroy privileged domain %i" % domid)
diff --git a/tools/python/xen/xend/XendDomainInfo.py b/tools/python/xen/xend/XendDomainInfo.py
index 5a4d145a6f..7a479aa698 100644
--- a/tools/python/xen/xend/XendDomainInfo.py
+++ b/tools/python/xen/xend/XendDomainInfo.py
@@ -59,12 +59,16 @@ DOMAIN_SUSPEND  = 2
 """Shutdown code for crash."""
 DOMAIN_CRASH    = 3
 
+"""Shutdown code for halt."""
+DOMAIN_HALT     = 4
+
 """Map shutdown codes to strings."""
 shutdown_reasons = {
     DOMAIN_POWEROFF: "poweroff",
     DOMAIN_REBOOT  : "reboot",
     DOMAIN_SUSPEND : "suspend",
     DOMAIN_CRASH   : "crash",
+    DOMAIN_HALT    : "halt"
     }
 
 restart_modes = [