diff --git a/core/backup.py b/core/backup.py
index fc0c5e96..976925f1 100644
--- a/core/backup.py
+++ b/core/backup.py
@@ -742,7 +742,13 @@ def wait_backup_feedback(progress_callback, in_stream, streamproc,
             if len(buffer) <= 0:
                 return ""
 
-        backup_target.write(buffer)
+        try:
+            backup_target.write(buffer)
+        except IOError as e:
+            if e.errno == errno.EPIPE:
+                run_error = "target"
+            else:
+                raise
 
         if hmac:
             hmac.stdin.write(buffer)
@@ -1145,6 +1151,15 @@ def restore_vm_dirs (backup_source, restore_tmpdir, passphrase, vms_dirs, vms,
         while True:
             if running_backup_operation and running_backup_operation.canceled:
                 break
+            if not extract_proc.is_alive():
+                command.terminate()
+                command.wait()
+                expect_tar_error = True
+                if vmproc:
+                    vmproc.terminate()
+                    vmproc.wait()
+                    vmproc = None
+                break
             if nextfile is not None:
                 filename = nextfile
             else:
diff --git a/qvm-tools/qvm-backup-restore b/qvm-tools/qvm-backup-restore
index 17d20a82..76578dda 100755
--- a/qvm-tools/qvm-backup-restore
+++ b/qvm-tools/qvm-backup-restore
@@ -227,8 +227,11 @@ def main():
         exit (0)
 
 
-    backup_restore_do(restore_info,
-            host_collection=host_collection)
+    try:
+        backup_restore_do(restore_info,
+                host_collection=host_collection)
+    except QubesException as e:
+        print >> sys.stderr, "ERROR: %s" % str(e)
 
     host_collection.unlock_db()