diff --git a/drivers/xen/xen-balloon.c b/drivers/xen/xen-balloon.c
index b437fccd4e62..294f35ce9e46 100644
--- a/drivers/xen/xen-balloon.c
+++ b/drivers/xen/xen-balloon.c
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ static void watch_target(struct xenbus_watch *watch,
 			static_max = new_target;
 		else
 			static_max >>= PAGE_SHIFT - 10;
-		target_diff = xen_pv_domain() ? 0
+		target_diff = (xen_pv_domain() || xen_initial_domain()) ? 0
 				: static_max - balloon_stats.target_pages;
 	}