diff --git a/tools/libxl/xl_cmdimpl.c b/tools/libxl/xl_cmdimpl.c
index e7abbc18ee..d29d661a0f 100644
--- a/tools/libxl/xl_cmdimpl.c
+++ b/tools/libxl/xl_cmdimpl.c
@@ -1437,7 +1437,7 @@ static int create_domain(struct domain_create *dom_info)
         printf_info(-1, &d_config, &d_config.dm_info);
 
 start:
-    domid = 0;
+    domid = -1;
 
     rc = acquire_lock();
     if (rc < 0)
@@ -1450,14 +1450,6 @@ start:
         goto error_out;
     }
 
-    ret = libxl_userdata_store(&ctx, domid, "xl",
-                                    config_data, config_len);
-    if (ret) {
-        perror("cannot save config file");
-        ret = ERROR_FAIL;
-        goto error_out;
-    }
-
     if ( dom_info->console_autoconnect ) {
         cb = autoconnect_console;
     }else{
@@ -1475,6 +1467,14 @@ start:
     if ( ret )
         goto error_out;
 
+    ret = libxl_userdata_store(&ctx, domid, "xl",
+                                    config_data, config_len);
+    if (ret) {
+        perror("cannot save config file");
+        ret = ERROR_FAIL;
+        goto error_out;
+    }
+
     release_lock();
 
     if (!paused)