diff --git a/drivers/tty/hvc/hvc_xen.c b/drivers/tty/hvc/hvc_xen.c
index 7f0b6262488c..c407592442cd 100644
--- a/drivers/tty/hvc/hvc_xen.c
+++ b/drivers/tty/hvc/hvc_xen.c
@@ -139,6 +139,9 @@ static ssize_t domU_write_console(uint32_t vtermno, const u8 *data, size_t len)
 	if (cons == NULL)
 		return -EINVAL;
 
+	if (cons->intf->connection == XENCONSOLE_DISCONNECTED)
+		return -ENOTCONN;
+
 	/*
 	 * Make sure the whole buffer is emitted, polling if
 	 * necessary.  We don't ever want to rely on the hvc daemon
diff --git a/include/xen/interface/io/console.h b/include/xen/interface/io/console.h
index cf17e89ed861..687949bdebb1 100644
--- a/include/xen/interface/io/console.h
+++ b/include/xen/interface/io/console.h
@@ -19,6 +19,19 @@ struct xencons_interface {
     char out[2048];
     XENCONS_RING_IDX in_cons, in_prod;
     XENCONS_RING_IDX out_cons, out_prod;
+/*
+ * Flag values signaling from backend to frontend whether the console is
+ * connected.  i.e. Whether it will be serviced and emptied.
+ *
+ * The flag starts as disconnected.
+ */
+#define XENCONSOLE_DISCONNECTED 1
+/*
+ * The flag is set to connected when the backend connects and the console
+ * will be serviced.
+ */
+#define XENCONSOLE_CONNECTED    0
+    uint8_t connection;
 };
 
 #endif /* __XEN_PUBLIC_IO_CONSOLE_H__ */