diff --git a/rpm_spec/core-vm.spec b/rpm_spec/core-vm.spec
index d925572..12483b7 100644
--- a/rpm_spec/core-vm.spec
+++ b/rpm_spec/core-vm.spec
@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@ if [ "$1" !=  1 ] ; then
 exit 0
 fi
 
-if ! [ -f /var/lib/qubes/serial.orig ] ; then
+if [ -e /etc/init/serial.conf ] && ! [ -f /var/lib/qubes/serial.orig ] ; then
 	cp /etc/init/serial.conf /var/lib/qubes/serial.orig
 fi