diff -r a55a98b36a2a tools/python/xen/xend/image.py
--- a/tools/python/xen/xend/image.py	Thu Mar 12 11:33:35 2009 +0000
+++ b/tools/python/xen/xend/image.py	Mon Mar 12 16:06:24 2009 +0100
@@ -232,7 +232,11 @@ class ImageHandler:
             # If we use a device model, the pipes for communication between
             # blktapctrl and ioemu must be present before the devices are 
             # created (blktapctrl must access them for new block devices)
-            os.makedirs('/var/run/tap', 0755)
+
+            try:
+                os.makedirs('/var/run/tap', 0755)
+            except:
+                pass
 
             try:
                 os.mkfifo('/var/run/tap/qemu-read-%d' % domid, 0600)