diff --git a/dom0/qvm-core/qubes.py b/dom0/qvm-core/qubes.py
index b079e681..0912f4a1 100755
--- a/dom0/qvm-core/qubes.py
+++ b/dom0/qvm-core/qubes.py
@@ -929,7 +929,7 @@ class QubesVm(object):
         if verbose:
             print "--> Updating firewall rules..."
         for vm in qvm_collection.values():
-            if vm.is_proxyvm():
+            if vm.is_proxyvm() and vm.is_running():
                 vm.write_iptables_xenstore_entry()
 
         if verbose: