diff --git a/tools/python/xen/xend/server/blkif.py b/tools/python/xen/xend/server/blkif.py
index 02cd4f26f7..23135aa08b 100644
--- a/tools/python/xen/xend/server/blkif.py
+++ b/tools/python/xen/xend/server/blkif.py
@@ -42,6 +42,10 @@ class BlkifController(DevController):
         """@see DevController.getDeviceDetails"""
 
         dev = sxp.child_value(config, 'dev')
+        if 'ioemu:' in dev:
+            return (None,{},{})
+
+        devid = blkif.blkdev_name_to_number(dev)
 
         (typ, params) = string.split(sxp.child_value(config, 'uname'), ':', 1)
         back = { 'dev'    : dev,
@@ -50,13 +54,7 @@ class BlkifController(DevController):
                  'mode'   : sxp.child_value(config, 'mode', 'r')
                  }
 
-        if 'ioemu:' in dev:
-            (dummy, dev1) = string.split(dev, ':', 1)
-            devid = blkif.blkdev_name_to_number(dev1)
-            front = {}
-        else:
-            devid = blkif.blkdev_name_to_number(dev)
-            front = { 'virtual-device' : "%i" % devid }
+        front = { 'virtual-device' : "%i" % devid }
 
         return (devid, back, front)