diff --git a/tools/python/xen/xend/image.py b/tools/python/xen/xend/image.py
index 8c1f21a52e..7d2555330b 100644
--- a/tools/python/xen/xend/image.py
+++ b/tools/python/xen/xend/image.py
@@ -328,7 +328,7 @@ class HVMImageHandler(ImageHandler):
 
             if a in ['fda', 'fdb' ]:
                 if v:
-                    if not os.path.isfile(v):
+                    if not os.path.isabs(v):
                         raise VmError("Floppy file %s does not exist." % v)
             log.debug("args: %s, val: %s" % (a,v))