diff --git a/dom0/qvm-core/qubes.py b/dom0/qvm-core/qubes.py
index 56208d6f..594eb27c 100755
--- a/dom0/qvm-core/qubes.py
+++ b/dom0/qvm-core/qubes.py
@@ -1217,7 +1217,7 @@ class QubesTemplateVm(QubesVm):
         if dry_run:
             return
         if os.path.exists (self.rootcow_img):
-           os.remove (self.rootcow_img)
+           os.rename (self.rootcow_img, self.rootcow_img + '.old')
 
         f_cow = open (self.rootcow_img, "w")
         f_root = open (self.root_img, "r")