diff --git a/tools/python/xen/xend/XendDomain.py b/tools/python/xen/xend/XendDomain.py
index 2f8968f1f8..02e69c4189 100644
--- a/tools/python/xen/xend/XendDomain.py
+++ b/tools/python/xen/xend/XendDomain.py
@@ -1164,6 +1164,10 @@ class XendDomain:
 
         if dominfo.getDomid() == DOM0_ID:
             raise XendError("Cannot dump core for privileged domain %s" % domid)
+        if dominfo._stateGet() not in (DOM_STATE_PAUSED, DOM_STATE_RUNNING):
+            raise VMBadState("Domain '%s' is not started" % domid,
+                             POWER_STATE_NAMES[DOM_STATE_PAUSED],
+                             POWER_STATE_NAMES[dominfo._stateGet()])
 
         try:
             log.info("Domain core dump requested for domain %s (%d) "