diff --git a/tools/python/xen/lowlevel/xc/xc.c b/tools/python/xen/lowlevel/xc/xc.c
index 9e93d496f4..6dcfb0a556 100644
--- a/tools/python/xen/lowlevel/xc/xc.c
+++ b/tools/python/xen/lowlevel/xc/xc.c
@@ -2735,6 +2735,10 @@ PyMODINIT_FUNC initxc(void)
       return;
 
     xc_error_obj = PyErr_NewException(PKG ".Error", PyExc_RuntimeError, NULL);
+    if (xc_error_obj == NULL) {
+        Py_DECREF(m);
+        return;
+    }
     zero = PyInt_FromLong(0);
 
     /* KAF: This ensures that we get debug output in a timely manner. */
diff --git a/tools/python/xen/lowlevel/xs/xs.c b/tools/python/xen/lowlevel/xs/xs.c
index a86edbe06f..5772f4b162 100644
--- a/tools/python/xen/lowlevel/xs/xs.c
+++ b/tools/python/xen/lowlevel/xs/xs.c
@@ -987,6 +987,10 @@ PyMODINIT_FUNC initxs(void)
       return;
 
     xs_error = PyErr_NewException(PKG ".Error", PyExc_RuntimeError, NULL);
+    if (xs_error == NULL) {
+        Py_DECREF(m);
+        return;
+    }
 
     Py_INCREF(&xshandle_type);
     PyModule_AddObject(m, CLS, (PyObject *)&xshandle_type);