diff --git a/tools/python/xen/xm/shutdown.py b/tools/python/xen/xm/shutdown.py
index fbd3d8f3aa..3a0e2c8c9d 100644
--- a/tools/python/xen/xm/shutdown.py
+++ b/tools/python/xen/xm/shutdown.py
@@ -92,7 +92,8 @@ def main_all(opts, args):
     shutdown(opts, None, mode, opts.vals.wait)
 
 def main_dom(opts, args):
-    if len(args) < 1: opts.err('Missing domain')
+    if len(args) == 0: opts.err('No domain parameter given')
+    if len(args) >  1: opts.err('No multiple domain parameters allowed')
     dom = args[0]
     mode = shutdown_mode(opts)  
     shutdown(opts, [ dom ], mode, opts.vals.wait)