diff --git a/qubes/qmemman/__init__.py b/qubes/qmemman/__init__.py
index 1c7ff780..9876db4c 100644
--- a/qubes/qmemman/__init__.py
+++ b/qubes/qmemman/__init__.py
@@ -57,6 +57,10 @@ class SystemState(object):
         self.log.debug('SystemState()')
 
         self.domdict = {}
+        self.xc = None
+        self.xs = None
+
+    def init(self):
         self.xc = xen.lowlevel.xc.xc()
         self.xs = xen.lowlevel.xs.xs()
         self.BALOON_DELAY = 0.1
diff --git a/qubes/tools/qmemmand.py b/qubes/tools/qmemmand.py
index 640e8051..df90ca69 100644
--- a/qubes/tools/qmemmand.py
+++ b/qubes/tools/qmemmand.py
@@ -276,6 +276,10 @@ def main():
 
     log.debug('instantiating server')
     os.umask(0)
+
+    # Initialize the connection to Xen and to XenStore
+    system_state.init()
+
     server = socketserver.UnixStreamServer(SOCK_PATH, QMemmanReqHandler)
     os.umask(0o077)