diff --git a/tools/python/xen/util/xpopen.py b/tools/python/xen/util/xpopen.py
index 78bbefdd2c..b0c880fafe 100644
--- a/tools/python/xen/util/xpopen.py
+++ b/tools/python/xen/util/xpopen.py
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ class xPopen3:
         try:
             os.execvp(cmd[0], cmd)
         finally:
-            os._exit(1)
+            os._exit(127)
 
     def poll(self):
         """Return the exit status of the child process if it has finished,
diff --git a/tools/python/xen/xend/XendDomain.py b/tools/python/xen/xend/XendDomain.py
index 2320e8758d..2df4f48d97 100644
--- a/tools/python/xen/xend/XendDomain.py
+++ b/tools/python/xen/xend/XendDomain.py
@@ -392,6 +392,8 @@ class XendDomain:
                 if filter(lambda (fd, event): event & select.POLLHUP, r):
                     break
 
+            if child.wait() >> 8 == 127:
+                lasterr = "popen %s failed" % PATH_XC_RESTORE
             if child.wait() != 0:
                 raise XendError("xc_restore failed: %s" % lasterr)