diff --git a/tools/libxl/xl_cmdimpl.c b/tools/libxl/xl_cmdimpl.c
index 245f11f54c..199217046f 100644
--- a/tools/libxl/xl_cmdimpl.c
+++ b/tools/libxl/xl_cmdimpl.c
@@ -1822,6 +1822,9 @@ start:
                          */
                         dom_info->console_autoconnect = 0;
 
+                        /* Some settings only make sense on first boot. */
+                        paused = 0;
+
                         /*
                          * XXX FIXME: If this sleep is not there then domain
                          * re-creation fails sometimes.