diff --git a/tools/python/xen/xend/XendConstants.py b/tools/python/xen/xend/XendConstants.py
index bca3ee7dd1..75f9d98c43 100644
--- a/tools/python/xen/xend/XendConstants.py
+++ b/tools/python/xen/xend/XendConstants.py
@@ -96,6 +96,7 @@ ZOMBIE_PREFIX = 'Zombie-'
 MINIMUM_RESTART_TIME = 20
 
 RESTART_IN_PROGRESS = 'xend/restart_in_progress'
+DUMPCORE_IN_PROGRESS = 'xend/dumpcore_in_progress'
 LAST_SHUTDOWN_REASON = 'xend/last_shutdown_reason'
 
 TRIGGER_NMI   = 0
diff --git a/tools/python/xen/xend/XendDomainInfo.py b/tools/python/xen/xend/XendDomainInfo.py
index 5bfc9fa185..ff5de1cd10 100644
--- a/tools/python/xen/xend/XendDomainInfo.py
+++ b/tools/python/xen/xend/XendDomainInfo.py
@@ -1792,10 +1792,13 @@ class XendDomainInfo:
                 raise XendError("Cannot dump core in a directory: %s" %
                                 corefile)
             
+            self._writeVm(DUMPCORE_IN_PROGRESS, 'True')
             xc.domain_dumpcore(self.domid, corefile)
+            self._removeVm(DUMPCORE_IN_PROGRESS)
         except RuntimeError, ex:
             corefile_incomp = corefile+'-incomplete'
             os.rename(corefile, corefile_incomp)
+            self._removeVm(DUMPCORE_IN_PROGRESS)
             log.exception("XendDomainInfo.dumpCore failed: id = %s name = %s",
                           self.domid, self.info['name_label'])
             raise XendError("Failed to dump core: %s" %  str(ex))